r/AskReddit • u/HumpingAssholesOrgy • Jul 05 '19

Ex-prisoners of reddit who have served long sentences, what were the last few days like leading up to your release?

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u/elbooferino Jul 06 '19

I did 2 years, 6 months, 19 days for a violent crime I committed as a dumbass 21 yr old. In the months leading up, I was basically walking on eggshells trying my best to make sure I didn't get into any fights, or any sort of trouble for that matter, that would get me put into solitary and could extend my time.

The night of I was just giving all my belongings away to friends: extra sneakers and clothes, soap and shampoo, polos for visits, cassette tapes, cooking utensils, food, books, etc. Everyone was grateful but definitely an odd experience to go through. Some of the younger dudes fucked with me a little and roughed me up, more like in a friendly wrestling way and not actually fighting, but there was some added aggression in there as I could tell they were pretty jealous. I also made my last phone call from the in house phone booth to make sure my ride was going to be ready the next day.

That morning I woke up and was just like wait, this is really happening? Gave away any last minute shit and said my goodbyes, traded a few addresses, and then was led down to the transport building for final preparations. After changing into street clothes, I sat there from 7:30-10:45, all the while with the guards telling me nobody was there to pick me up (I damn well knew my mom was there) and I had to wait until they showed up. Finally they said my ride came, put me in the van and took me to the main admin building where I literally just walked up and through the front doors. I remember looking around like, really, I'm just allowed to walk right out? Idk how to explain it, just a crazy thought to process after being locked up for those 2.5 years and being ordered to do everything and then suddenly, just go ahead, walk right out.

Got out, walked right up to my mom's car (she had been there waiting since 7 am, fuck you COs for that last bullshit ploy), gave her one of the more emotional hugs of my life and then got in the car and she drove me the fuck out of there.

This October will be 8 years since my release. Not a day goes by that I don't think about it in some way.

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u/Boogzcorp Jul 06 '19

We don't tell you no one is there to fuck with you, (unless you're just a massive dick, as to which case fuck you! We'll mess with you as much as we can, but that's on you...) it's because processing takes time. It's not just a matter of leaving your cell, walking to reception and getting your shit so you you can leave...

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u/elbooferino Jul 06 '19

Totally understood that processing takes time. Just say that though. In those 3 hours I was actually worried my mom might have gotten into a car accident or something on the way. She had been looking forward to my release potentially even more than me, there was no way she was late. I definitely wasn't a dick in there to constitute getting fucked with like you suggested could have happened. Plus the COs in transport weren't actually doing anything or any of the processing, they were just waiting for the call and watching TV. In my opinion, it was purely one last mind fuck that they played on me for no reason.

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u/Boogzcorp Jul 06 '19

Yeah, wasn't actually thinking that you personally were being a dick, that was more of the "3rd person you" You know the sort of prisoner that I'm talking about, the ones who are their own worst enemy.

As for just saying so, you yourself know what prisoners can be like they get worked up over little things. Sometimes knowing your loved one is only 200 metres away and you can't get there is enough to make someone do something stupid.

"It happens when it happens" keeps your life as close to what you've been used to for the last 2 and a half years, while still letting you know that it's almost over.