Spending time in prison can be an extremely traumatic chapter in your life, however, it can also be an important moment for reflection and growth. Just because you have served time, doesn’t mean you don’t have the chance to turn your life around. Adjusting to a normal life after prison is possible, you just need to have a positive attitude and plenty of determination. To help you deal with this new chapter of your life, we’ve compiled a list of six tried and tested tips to help you.
Keep reading to find out what they are…
1. Find Housing
First things first, you’ll need to have a roof over your head. However, you may not have the funds, or credentials, to secure a home easily. Most felons are able to qualify for affordable housing, which is typically owned by the state or government. To rent this type of accommodation, you will need to set aside around 30% of your monthly income.
2. Look for Employment
You won’t be able to settle into your new life if you don’t have a reliable stream of income to support you. Finding a job is one of the top concerns amongst people leaving prison, however, there are plenty of felon friendly jobs available in every city.
3. Get into a Routine
Life in prison is very much about following a strict routine, so once you enter the real world, you should try to create your own version. Understandbly, there’s a lot of temptation once you leave, however, you should keep busy by establishing a healthy routine.
4. Cut Ties with Negative Influences
The first thing you may want to do when you leave prison is go and see all those familiar faces you’ve missed. However, if you know they are going to be a negative influence on your life, it’s imperative that you cut ties, no matter how much you love them.
5. Speak to a Therapist
There’s a lot to unpack once you leave prison and there’s no reason to do it all by yourself. Take advantage of state aid and see if you can speak to a specialised therapist.
6. Join a Support Group
Last but not least, it’s important to know that you aren’t the only one. There are thousands of people strugiling to readjust to life after prison. You could find a lot of comfot in joining support groups and sharing your story with others.
Truth be told, adjusting to a new life after spending time in prison may be the most difficult thing you do to date. Some people can spend decades serving time and, once they are released, the world is nothing like they remembered it. Others may find that their support network of friends and family has been completely severed once they leave prison.
Nevertheless, turning your life around for the better is possible. So, make sure to keep your head held up high and start making decisions that will change your life for the better. You can do this.
Also read: 8 Luxury Prisons in The World That are No Less Than 5-Star Hotels
