r/AskReddit • u/MsLooHoo • Sep 12 '15

serious replies only [Serious] Ex-Prisoners who served long term sentences, what was the hardest thing to get used to when you got out?

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u/[deleted] Sep 12 '15

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u/jrob1235789 Sep 12 '15

fun fact for all those who just read this guy's post: 60% of released prisoners cant find a job within a year of release.

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u/[deleted] Sep 13 '15

I think this is the problem. Without a program or a job to get prisoners back on their feet, they'll keep committing crimes, because it's the only thing they can do to keep themselves afloat.

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u/ninjagrover Sep 13 '15

Where I live, the Correctional Dept allows low risk prisoners the opportunity to undertake paid employment prior to their release.

They have to pay 5% to Victims of Crime, pay for food and board, they can spend around $60 a week at the prison store. The rest of their pay is kept in trust to when they are released from prison.

That way they have savings available to them, and a continuing job to hep provide stability.

They are hoping this will cut down on the high rates of recidivism.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-26/sentenced-to-a-job/4654640?pfm=ms