PHOTO PROMPT© Sandra Crook
Ten long years spent behind locked iron gates awaiting my release. And now that it is here, I am so filled with fear, a part of me wants to stay.
I know it sounds crazy, but what am I going out to? No one waiting at the gate, no place to call home. Will I be added to the throngs of the homeless, the drug addled, the petty thieves, the lost, the forgotten?
With just two hundred dollars gate money, and an appointment with parole- my freedom looms ominously before me, yet all I can think about- is escape.
Written for Friday Fictioneers Photo Prompt, and Girlie on the Edge’s Six Sentence Story Prompt: Place, and The Haunted Wordsmiths Story Starter, “Ten long years”.
Thru Violet's Lentz 
Great portrayal of institutionalisation
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Thank you Neil..
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You really get into the fears of the person being released, and the paradox of freedom is scarey not a gift.
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As it should be to society as well. We are imprisoning people at a remarkable rate, and then dumping them back into society unaided. What good can come of this?
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And people wonder why there are so many repeat offenders… Well written.
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I venture to guess this has a lot to do with the recidivism rates.. And the homeless situation given the number of incarcerates to parol every day….
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Exchanging one prison for another, only without the safety of walls and routine. Nicely done.
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and food and shelter.. Thanks for stopping in to comment Iain..
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Good story, Violet, and a very important problem for society. How on earth do we enable prisoners to re-join conventional society and not just fall back into criminal company and habits? You dramatize the issue effectively.
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Thank you, Penny. We need to think about it. We are incarcerating huge numbers of people, all of which will be released with $200 and an appointment with a PO.. Where do we expect them to go?
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Grim. Nice job!
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Grim, indeed, but it happens countless times every day..
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I agree with all of the above commenters–it felt so REAL to me.
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Probably because it is real, Ennle. Welcome to this little window to my world..
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Oh gosh, I’m sorry.
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Don’t be. I earned it. I am proof that you can overcome even this obstacle. I fear I am outnumbered by those who never get out of the street though… Thanks for your kind words.
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I have nothing but deep and sincere respect for you, Violet…and you’re so right, about all the poor souls on the street, for whatever reason. Breaks my heart. I also have to say, well I want to say–there are prisons which some of us never get out of…life sentences we didn’t deserve.
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And the walls there, are much more debilitating.. I consider myself one of the lucky ones..
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You are blessed indeed.
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Nice.*
Agree with the other readers about how effective a story of the prison the self can be… what was the line from the Eagles song,
“So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key”
Good Six
* not nice nice, more nice nice… as in powerful
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Thank you, Clark. The prison of the self is quickly becoming the prison of the street, coming soon to a corner near you….
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I could feel what he was feeling. Great picture painting in a very short span. Makes you wonder about rehabilitation or punishment. Tragic.
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Even more tragic is the number of times per day this happens. Thanks, UP.
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I hope to never know what happens to people locked up – whether for crimes or for mental illness. The person in your story is obviously disturbed!
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No. I consider myself quite human. And you know what they say about never saying never- right? HRR…
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True. Still, I think it would be rough to have that craving to escape when you’re being released. Very haunting.
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There are some prisoners (I even knew one) who work hard to get back inside for the routine, guaranteed meals and company. Nice one!
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Yes, there are. I’ve known a few too…
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Very poignantly written
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Thank you, Neel.
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I’ve heard a lot of long time prisoners feel that way.
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And quite a few short timers as well.. It doesn’t take long to become totally disconnected..
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Telling it as it is, again. Much liked. 🙂
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Thanks, Crispina!
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Pleasure. 🙂
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This makes you see how so many convicts once released do something criminal to get back inside.
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A very real situation to be sure, Susan. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
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Freedom looms. Nice take on the prompt Violet. Sad story.
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Thank you, Len.
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Oh this is well done. The drudgery of work mixed with the consistency of a prison. The fears and yearning is well written
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Thank you, Laurie
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You captured this mind well, Violet. This has to be the dread that so many inmates face upon relief. Six sentences too, I’m impressed.
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Thanks, Ted,
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this reminds of a pet bird that i decided to set free. when i opened the cage, it hesitated. it took some encouragement to make it spread its wings and fly away.
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What a great analogy. Kind of makes it all make more sense somehow!. Thank you.
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Dear Violet,
Some are beyond rehabilitation and fall back to the known ways. Well written story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I found an extra word for you. 😉 “With just just two hundred dollars gate money,” Only one ‘just’ needed.
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Thanks for pointing out the typo, Rochelle. I must read these things thirty times before I publish, but on occasion…. Also my sincere thanks for the comment, and the prompt!!
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This is why we have a counseling center just for homeless/those recently released. We want more than anything to help them stay on the straight and narrow.
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Oh, Mimi, that is wonderful. There is limited help out there for this sector of people and it is heartwarming to know your group is trying to bridge that gap.
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You have written a truthful terse and blunt SSS that speaks of an acute lamentation of prisoners and the rest of society. There needs to be a better way.
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Thank you, Pat. I so agree.
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Powerful Six. Great writing, Violet.
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Thanks, Girlie!
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The imprisoned life without walls is scary. Profound six!
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It is a very scary feeling.. Thanks for the comment, Lisa.
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For some, prison is the better option. Give time they’ll be back I’d wager.
My FriFic tale!
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Some just don’t want to make it, true, but equally as many want to and are not given the tools to succeed, so they fall back into the most available behaviors..
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Looms! I get it!
Originsl twist on the prompt photo, though I can see how all the twisting threads could prompt thoughs of being bound or imprisoned.
“Gate money” is such an ironic phrase. Usually enough for a bus home.
You have described a perpetual problem which, at least in the States, we have hardly made any better in my lifetime.
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I can’t imagine what that must be like for many people, but I think you’ve done a fine job of putting us right there.
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Wonderfully done, Violet. Brings “Shawshank Redemption” to mind and how, after being locked up for so long (well, your fellow is not quite so long) they actually miss the security that the prison brings. It is a scary world out there, especially when you come with so many points against you.
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I totally agree.. Thank you Dale for your wonderful comments!
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It’s too bad we don’t have a more efficient system
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It sure is, Larry, Thanks for stopping by.
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Sometimes it seems that prison after-care is more about judging whether you ought to be back inside, rather than how to help you stay out. Good one, Violet.
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You’ve hit the nail right on the head, Sandra!
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A common dilemma faced by prisoners out on parole after long sentence.Where do you want to escape to? Away from society, back to prison?
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perhaps just escape to something that feels safer…
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This will continue to happen when offenders with low level of skills and education get incarcerated and are not taught any skills to help them to integrate with society again. A thoughtful take on the prompt.
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Why thank you!
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No mish in that mash. Rumi said something about being released from ten successive prisons, each larger and containing the last.
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Thank you, D. I am not familiar with that Statement Rumi made, but I would say it seems accurate..
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Such a clear description of an institutionalised person. Must be terrifying to leave somewhere when you’ve been there so long, even if you have been imprisoned. Well written
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Thank you so much Lyn, for understanding the degree of difficulty involved in assimilating oneself to a culture so foreign, even if once it was a place called home..
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My pleasure Violet.
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