September 5, 2018

September 5, 2018

My neighbor explained to me some of the reasons it’s so hard to transition to the real world. He says it’s because you’re going from a controlled environment where you’re told when to wake up, when to go to bed, when to eat, what to eat, where to live, how to live, what to wear, and how to wear it. You have absolutely no responsibilities other than mental and physical survival, and to do that you must develop a new way of being. You become hyper-aware of your surroundings and potential threats, because there are people poised to take advantage of any sign of weakness. Your ability to project the potential for violence becomes the measure of your value as a man. Social exchanges are calculated. Emotion is weakness, trust a liability. Then they release you into the world with $100 and you’re told to be a responsible, effective member of society. You need to have a job, a place to live, manage your money, pay your bills, your fines, and you’re supposed to just snap out of the mindset that helped you survive in prison and all of a sudden be a team player. And all this while society is watching every move you make, waiting for you to slip up.