Today is the 23rd consecutive Halloween that I’ve dressed as a prisoner. I’m tired of it, but I’ll be wearing prisoner clothing in 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012. I could be released before October of 2012, but for certain I will be home by 2013. It’s still a long walk to freedom, though when I spell it out like this, when I think that the worst case means only three more Halloweens, that doesn’t seem so bad.
The approaching release date has me thinking about the financial resources I’ll need to have in place. Although I haven’t been in the job market for a long time, I recognize that I’ll need to spend money on clothing, computer equipment, a vehicle, and other costs that I’m not contemplating. Those will be immediate expenditures, and I expect them to exceed ten thousand dollars. Before my release date, I intend to have the money in place that I will need for a stable life.
Acquiring financial resources to ease my transition into society isn’t a problem I want to think about during the days, weeks, or months preceding my release. I’ve been thinking about that problem for longer than the past 10 years. I’m convinced that all prisoners should think about the financial expenditures that await their release, as such an awareness can help them prepare well in advance.
Prisoners who don’t prepare for their financial needs face considerable challenges when they walk out from prison boundaries. Unemployment rates are high for all Americans, but for people who return to society from prison, those unemployment rates are much higher. Prisoners who must struggle to find a job, and who lack cash reserves, will not be able to purchase clothing, a vehicle, or housing. These problems confront all prisoners, yet responsible prisoners figure out ways to respond.
Since I’ve served 22 years in prison, I’ve had ample time to prepare for my release. I urge all prisoners to follow my example: educate, prepare and earn.
This morning I ran 10 miles and followed up with 350 pushups. My running tally is now 2,871 miles over the past 322 days.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
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