My Best Friend Was Released From Prison A Year Ago

by Mary Smith
(Atlanta, GA)

When an individual becomes incarcerated, it's bad enough that they have to spend time in jail. What isn't really talked about is what it's going to be like once they get out.

When released from jail, you come out with a criminal record. Many times when one goes to jail, family turns their back on you. This happened to my best friend.

She had no one to support her but myself. Of course there are social workers in prison but let's just say with many prisons overcrowded, time with them is very limited. When my friend got out, she had a horrible time finding a job due to her criminal history. She was a nurses aide before she went to jail, and now, she works in a production setting making a little more than minimum wage.

She's always been an independent person but now, she has to depend on me for transportation, shelter, and support. Her family has disowned her. Some days she makes comments about going back to jail but so far she hasn't sabotaged herself. I just hope she can hang in there. I fear that one day she'll purposely do something to go back just so she doesn't have to deal with the reality of life now for her.