You will come out of prison far worse than when you went in.
Roughly 600,000 people are released from federal and state prison each year, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Experts often say the first 72 hours after release are critical to determining whether a former inmate’s path will lead away from prison or make a sharp U-turn.
After any conviction, even after you have served your time and technically repaid your debt to society, the consequences continue. In most cases, you have fines, fees, restitution, probation, supervised release, and a criminal record for Life.
What resources prisons provide to help people navigate those first moments on the outside varies widely from state to state. At the highest end, California and Colorado provide $200 and $100, respectively. At the lowest end, people in Alabama and Louisiana often leave prison with as little as $10 or $20 in their pockets, and people in states such as New Hampshire may leave with no money at all.
In California, people who served a sentence longer than six months will receive $200, but a portion of that money is immediately deducted for clothing and transportation costs.
When Eddie Kane was released from prison in Maryland his wife came to pick him up, so he planned to spend his $50 in release money on their first meal together in 13 years. At a nearby sandwich shop, he ordered a cheesesteak and a soup, and his wife ate a lobster roll. As one might imagine, after paying the bill, there wasn’t much money left.
Kane says it was important for him to be able to contribute—even if it meant just buying his wife a sandwich. For 13 years, he says, he was on the receiving end of his wife’s generosity, and without the support of his family, Kane says he isn’t sure how he would have made it through those first few days following his release.
When Angelique Evans left prison in California in 2018, she used most of her $200 gate money to buy a cell phone so she could check in with her probation officer. Two weeks later, her probation officer told her she owed about $4,000 in fines and fees. Evans says she felt numb at that moment. She was scared of going back to prison, so she took on odd jobs to pay her debts.
PEEP GAME
Are you willing to lose EVERYTHING you possess due to a stupid crime?
THINK ABOUT THAT!! For instance: You will lose the first thing you grab in the morning (cell phone with all personal contents), all of your clothes, those nice tennis shoes, car, choice of food, privacy, jewelry, freedom, job, affection from your love ones (spouse, children, relatives, pets, friends and associates), travel, births, graduations, picnics, weddings, birthdays, funeral, parties, events, intimacy, providing, beautiful views, scenic drives, hugging someone as you listen to Sunday Night Slow Jams, and much, much more. Moreover, in most cases, you will be subjected to invasion of your privacy, accusations, harassment, abuse, neglect, punishment, fights, hunger, discipline, depression, loss, alienation, rape, extortion, harsh sentences, curfew, phone limitations, no visits, exposure to disease, no privacy, work for slave wages (12 cents to $1,50 per hour), mandatory classes (anger management, parenting, drug, and alcohol), fees, restitution, taxing family to pay for your expensive phone calls, and high commissary cost, someone trying to hug and make you while listening to Sunday Night Slow Jams… etc.
Please understand that the criminal justice system is not a game, but is a multi Billion dollar Business. Many others will acquire wealth as a result of your status. Being labeled accused, charged, convict, inmate, criminal, prisoner, felon, parolee, probationer, etc, will reap no benefits, profits, compensation, rewards, or favorable recognition for your status. Instead, your label will forever limit your pursuits in life.
CRIME DOES PAY – BUT IT WON’T PAY YOU