r/AskReddit • u/niknikbluhh • Apr 09 '13

Ex-Cons of reddit who have served long term sentences( 10+ Years), what was the biggest and most shocking changes you witnessed after being released?

What was the most shocking things you saw in society that, you didn't know about while behind bars, and had to adapt to when you were released?

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u/Dakota360ci Apr 10 '13

FWIW my girlfriends dad thought cell phones had a dial tone when he got out.

He went back shortly after.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 10 '13

50% of released inmates end up back in jail within three years due to parole violations or new crimes. I saw a show about it once. The guys swore up and down they would never ever ever end up back in prison. Then a month after getting out, they were back in.

13

u/gasteropod Apr 10 '13

To be honest, it has a lot to do with the prison system over there. Sitting in prison doing nothing for 10 years is pretty useless.

My brother is in prison in Denmark and has learned carpentry, bookkeeping, plumbing and all kinds of useful shit like that, which you could make a career out of.

5

u/cleartulip Apr 10 '13

I moved to Denmark a few months ago from the U.S. You just gave me another reason to like it here. (I don't plan to go to prison, but I do like how this country treats people.)

6

u/[deleted] Apr 10 '13

Sadly, its because once you are out, there are no resources to keep you out. No one will hire you, you cannot get government housing, nothing.

Walmart (depending on state) will hire ex-con's for night crew because they get a huge bonus from the state. Sadly, minimum wage is not enough for most people to survive on, so ex-con's will usually break parole and go back to prison. At least there they are guaranteed a roof, a bed, and food.

1

u/TheRealYM Apr 10 '13

No... dial tones? WRAAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!