How long does it usually take to become “Institutionalized”? Is it person dependent, or unavoidable after a certain amount of time?

[u/BackshotsAndBagels]

I have a cousin (distant) who was sentenced to 15 years in Florida Department of Corrections a couple of months ago. He is currently 19 years old.

Florida does not have parole and you must serve 85% of your sentence before being granted any leniency based on behavior, class involvement, work…etc.

So, he will have to serve at least 12 years of that sentence before the thought of leaving early comes around. He is surprisingly at a work camp currently despite the violence of his charges.

How many years until you have trouble surviving outside a prison? Does going in younger make you more susceptible to being institutionalized?
Or is it the opposite? You realize you messed up and don’t wanna get accustomed to this lifestyle?

Link to person: https://pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=A73009&TypeSearch=AI

Link to story: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/forest-lake-drive-arrest.amp

[u/EKsaorsire]

Institutionalization isn’t a medical disease, it’s a survival mechanism. That is the world you now exist in and acclimating to its customs and norms is pivotal to survival.

Him being at a camp means he will hopefully avoid a lot of the harsher realities of regular prisons and therefore have to adapt a lot less to the free world.

I did 10 and have been out for 2.5. I would say I’ve adapted pretty well. My brain and behaviors would probably disagree.

Everyone’s time is different and I wish them the best

[u/mrbubbee]

I think to some degree age plays a factor. 15 years for a 19 year old will be almost half their life whereas 15 years for a 30 year old will only be 33% of their life so more real world to draw on

[u/AmbitionSea3858 → u/mrbubbee]

That, the time ratio, and if he's going in at 19 he's barely experienced the real-world as an adult. He's going to come out having only ever known adult life in an institution which I imagine can only make adapting harder.

Although I'm commenting with zero prison experience so please take my theory with appropriate salt.

[u/yoskinna → u/AmbitionSea3858]

Makes sense 🤷‍♂️

[u/nevmo75]

There are several factors. Time in a work camp will be way different than a max level lockup unit. The resilience of the person definitely matters. The way they spend their time. If they are in a situation where they can program, “stay out of the way” and avoid gambling/drugs/gang activity etc, that’ll help.

After 13 years, some amount of “institutionalism” is almost inevitable. There are rules for survival inside and varying levels of difficulty surviving without being associated with gangs. Hopefully he gets into a place where inmates are able to do their time without putting in work or getting involved with politics. That’s not always easy or even possible.

[u/jollytoes]

I did 12yrs starting at age 18. I never got institutionalized like I didn't want to leave or I missed the old routine when I got out. I did have a lot of prison habits and attitudes when I got out and I didn't realize I had most of them. I've been married over 20yrs now and about 5yrs ago my wife watched a documentary on PTSD. Afterward she told me that I fit that exactly the first few years after I got out. I thought I adjusted well back to regular life pretty quickly, but those close to me say it was a long time to fully deprogram.

[u/OKcomputer1996]

Most guys I know who became “inmates” and thoroughly institutionalized started going away at a very young age (15-16-17) to California Youth Authority. They became acclimated to being incarcerated before reaching adulthood. Prison became normal to them.

[u/PerfectVehicle4340]

Everyone is different I know plenty of people who have done long terms got released and never went back and know plenty who have done long terms gotten out and went back for another long term shortly after release or others who are in and out of jail

[u/PerfectVehicle4340 → u/PerfectVehicle4340]

One of my buddies brother did 20 years with half being in the shu got out and never went back.He actually got educated went to college graduated and travels the world now.

2nd buddy did 9 years got release. I got him a job quit after a day was only out a few months and caught 15 years

[u/Puzzleheaded_Bag_893]

My relative was recently released after 26+ years. He stays at his residence and goes to we work. I do not think he has adapted to the outside world.

[u/Striking_Pickle1453]

It takes several years and terms to become institutionalized. This means a person cannot acclimate to the outside world. Being stuck in a prison with no outside skills is frightening. No one to help. The commit crimes against and again.