Title: 
Life after Prison

Word Count:
573

Summary:
The article is about the travails of prison inmates and how their lives inside the “slammer” lead to depression, fear, and anxiety.  The article highlights the difficulties that prisoners go through as they lead lives far away from their families.  The article also shows how the prisoners can lead normal lives after they finish their sentence and are allowed to return to society.


Keywords:
depression, fear and anxiety, mental health


Article Body:
When a person is convicted of a crime, it is understood that he will be getting some serious jail time. No matter what the offense is, they will still be definitely treated much less of a person when inside the big cage. Prisons are harsh and the guards tend to discipline the undisciplined by giving out strict orders  regarding visits, meal times, and daily chores.   The guards maintain discipline and control through constant inspection of the inmates' cells, uniforms, and work outputs. 

It is a known fact that almost all convicts eventually become so hard-hearted and rough. Many of them have developed attitude problems that usually come as a form of defense mechanism against the constant physical threat from other inmates.  To contain these threats, prison guards are armed with batons, tazer guns, and even high-powered rifles.   

A popular TV show “Prison Break” almost actually describes how it is to be inside the cage. This show gives everyone a glimpse of how prisoners are treated, how they live everyday, and how they do their daily routine. Being inside jail can really give the person a feeling of fear and anxiety especially when it is their first time being inside the dreadful prison.  Everyone inside has their own groups, and these groups or “gangs” make up most of the prisons' population.  The TV show also illustrated the tension that exists between different races. These different races often form their own gangs presumably to protect themselves from other racial gangs. Every prisoner experiences  fear and anxiety as they try to stay alive and become a member of the prison “community.”

Of course, in real life, living in prison entails deeper, personal issues beyond being part of a gang or surviving the daily onslaught of rules and orders from the guards. The inmates also have to contend with their past and future, making the hours spent inside their cells their daily meditation on life and their fate. 

At this point, inmates are forced to reckon with what they had done to deserve the sentence and what future they have after they are released back to society.  Many fall into depression as they miss the  freedom they used to enjoy.  The sadness of their fate is made more unbearable by the seeming lack or partiality of justice.  Away from the presence of their loved ones, they fall deeper into depression as they think on the many special events they miss at home and how far removed they are from the lives of the people they love. 

Having hard rules and rough penalties can give the person inside jail some serious mental health issues. Aside from depression, inmates have to cope with the daily fear and anxiety of walking in the yard where rival gangs hang out.  


Of course, some prisoners do have the opportunity to regain their lives and have some normalcy after they compete their sentence. Finishing time inside jail is like jackpot for the former prisoner. Still, those who have been given the opportunity to go back to society must undergo post-jail social therapy.  The therapy is needed to re-orient them on how to blend in again the outside world. Depression usually decreases after these former prisoners gain more chances for social interaction and acceptance.  Life after prison can be fruitful and satisfying but it does take the commitment and effort of each and every former prisoner to remain “legit” and stay out of jail.


