You and your family are stoked that today is finally the day your loved one is coming home. You think that everything will start right where it left of, right? The reality is, your loved one is going to have to adjust to adapt to life on the outside. They will most likely have to deal with culture shock, and different emotions such as anger and depression. Additionally, they will also have struggles with the social stigma and the consequences that come with having a criminal record. How can you help your loved one adjust to their new life after prison? Down below are six ways to help their transition from prison to life on the outside.
1. Culture shock
What is culture shock?
Culture shock is the disoriented feeling a person can get when they must suddenly adapt to an unfamiliar culture or way of life.
Things are different then they previously remember.
Especially if they have returned after a long period of absence.
Your loved one will notice the advancement in technology such as new social media platforms for communication, newer versions of cell phones, and new language and ways of speaking will be introduced to them since they were last out of prison.
All of this may cause your loved one to experience feelings of depression or anxiety, and they will need your help to adjust to their new way of life.
Being patient and showing love to your loved one is the best way to help them adjust to life on the outside.
2. Feeling depressed
It is very common for people to feel depressed after they have been incarcerated.
Daily life might feel challenging as your loved one tries to adapt.
Working towards finding a job with a criminal record and looking for financial stability can be very frustrating.
It can be helpful for your loved one to be encouraged to set small goals and reward themselves with something small, such as a nice meal, or something they enjoy.
Reaching these small goals can help your loved one feel more confident, happy, and motivated to reach more success.
Encourage your loved one to keep a positive view on their life.
For example, if your loved one says things such as, “I will never get a job. I will never be successful.”
The best thing to do is encourage them to tell themselves something like,” Even though I haven’t gotten a job. If I stay persistent and keep applying, I will eventually get one.”
This positive way of thinking will help eventually change the way your loved one feels about themselves, and the way they see the world.
3. Communicate Frustration
It is natural for both you and your loved one to feel frustration.
Your loved one may struggle with frustration trying to adjust to living in a home, searching for employment, treatment, and culture shock.
You may also deal with frustration due to how incarceration may have created changes within your loved one.
Communication between you and your loved one is the best way to improve feelings of frustration.
Talk to each other about how you perceive the way they express their frustration and decide the best way to express theses feelings with each other.
4. Manage anger
Aggression and anger are methods used for protection in prison.
Outside of prison culture, these methods are not as acceptable.
It is important for your loved one to find a way to control this anger and channel it into productivity. Whenever they feel angry, encourage your loved one to take a step back and focus on breathing slowly for 10 seconds.
Try to understand what they are hoping to achieve with their anger and help them see how they can achieve it in a more effective and controlled way.
5. Dealing With Rejection
In your loved one’s first month at home they may experience rejections in many forms.
Due to the stigma associated with their incarceration, Employers, former friends, and even some family may reject them.
Help your loved one learn how to accept rejection, move on, and continue to improve themselves and their circumstances.
Always remind them to be easy on themselves. They are not a failure.
It is important for them to keep working, staying focused and to give themselves credit for the progress they have made.
Encourage them to look forward on the things they desire, instead of focus on their past mistakes and failures.
6. Combat Addiction
Your loved one may have developed an addiction before or during their prison sentence.
When they are released, they may not be the same person you expected them to be.
Without love and support, addictions can be very difficult to work through.
Your loved one will need your emotional support, love, care, and guidance to help them.
Help from a licensed therapist or doctor may be needed to help provide a clear, well researched path to beating their addiction.
Ultimately, it is your love, support, and patience that will help guide them through this tough transition.