Prison Creates an Identity Crisis

"Prison not only robs you of your freedom, it attempts to take away your identity." 

When I read these words penned by Nelson Mandela in his book "Long Walk to Freedom," they resonated with me. As Mandela eloquently points out, "[Prison] is by definition a purely authoritarian state that tolerates no independence or individuality."

Prison, by its very nature is designed to strip men (and women!) from their identities. On the surface this might appear like a good idea, because many of the things that have defined most prisoners are worth stripping away. Things like criminal thinking patterns, addictive thoughts and behaviors, and antisocial behaviors all need to be removed from the identity of prisoners. The problem is that prison is not designed to replace these antisocial identities with pro social ones. Instead, prisoners are left feeling like they have no identity at all.

Just the other day I heard another prisoner say, "I can't tell you anything interesting about myself. Prison has taken away everything that gave me an identity." I was saddened to hear him feel this way.

The unfortunate reality is that many of the men who came to prison at a young age had no opportunity to form an identity through normal social influences. These men have been influenced by an authoritarian, dependent condition that discourages one from forming any purpose by which an identity is built. 

Yet, even though prison necessarily influences a person, it does not have to rob him of an identity. Prisoners must be intentional about claiming and embracing their own identity. Even in prison men can find a purpose bigger than themselves. They can begin to see the world outside of the bubble of prison and find ways to connect to and engage in the greater human struggle. 

Prison might encourage a self-centered perspective, but humans were not designed to be purely independent creatures. We need each other and we often discover our own identities as we pursue a life that is focused on others.

Maybe independence and individuality aren't something to cherish after all. But neither are dependence and conformity. Instead, prisoners can find a balance through interdependence that appreciates our need for others while still maintaining a healthy responsibility for our own unique contributions to the benefit of all.