Prisoner Visions of the Future Romanticized

Romanticizing the past is common enough inside and outside of prison. Nobody wants to remember the bare truth of the past in all its ugliness. That's why telling our stories in ways that cast ourselves in the best possible light is so common. But if romanticizing the past is common, romanticizing the future is probably even more common among prisoners. Whether it is the stories we tell ourselves that begin with, "I've learned my lesson now...I'll never commit another crime" or through stories that paint a picture of easy success upon release, prisoners have a tendency to be unrealistic about the future. That is not to say that some prisoners will never commit another crime, nor is it denying that some may actually experience quick success upon release. What I am saying is that statistics show that neither of these romantic notions play themselves out very often. High recidivism rates tell the truth that many prisoners, despite their best intentions, do go on to commit crimes again after release from prison. (I'll leave for another time the discussion of a system that leaves many returning citizens with few options, making returning to a life of crime easy.) Furthermore, very few returning citizens have the support they need to make their transition back to free society an "easy success." They must struggle through many obstacles to become valued citizens again--and some will simply never be considered valuable citizens, no matter what they do. Perhaps it is fear of this struggle that leads many prisoners to romanticize the notion of simple living after release. Television shows like "Off the Grid" or "Life Below Zero" depict isolated, simple, ascetic living in its best possible light, appealing to many prisoners who want to avoid the stigma and shame of a convict label, and who, through their incarceration, have had the faulty notion reinforced that true success is a matter of rugged individualism. I must admit that I, too, find the notion of simple living appealing. The allure of materialism has lost its luster for me, and I like the idea of providing for my own needs in simple ways. But I have also learned the importance of belonging to a healthy community, and contributing to that community's health myself. That means beginning with the truth about one's past, without minimizing or romanticizing, and being realistic about the struggles ahead. After spending sometimes decades in a prison environment that requires very little daily responsibility or motivation, I find it doubtful that many prisoners can suddenly demonstrate the autonomy necessary to achieve a self-sufficient existence. But self-sufficiency is alluring. Never having to depend on other people is appealing, for many prisoners have learned through experience to mistrust people. Living a future without dependency on others might have a certain romance to it, but prisoners who do become valued citizens again often do so because they participate in and contribute to a healthy community. This means sharing in a common vision with others, respecting others, being accountable to others, and being inclusive and welcoming of others, to name a few. A romanticized future of isolation and independence seldom work well for anyone, but especially for citizens returning from prison. Successfully re-entering free society requires strong interdependence and a strong dose of reality. It requires being realistic and only dealing with the truth--about the past and about the struggles one faces in the future.