by RobertUnlimited

This is the fourth story, “It’s Not That Hard to Wind Up in Prison,” in a Project Unlimited series titled: “Why do people wind up in prison?” Each story is written by an inmate at Tomoka Correctional Institution, not to justify or excuse behaviors, but for the purpose of educating and increasing awareness. You’re welcomed and encouraged to send questions for consideration for the Unlimited men to answer throughout this series. To learn more about Project Unlimited click here.

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It’s not that hard to wind up in prison. 

Although we have choices, and it’s up to us to not allow anyone or anything to take control over our minds and our actions, with all that’s going on in the world, we can easily lose ourselves and what is really going on around us. 

Having said this, there are many circumstances, such as substance abuse or childhood abuse or trauma that play into poor choices. In my opinion, here are two more reasons:

Selfishness

First, people become or are already selfish and things are all about them being self-centered and making things all about their way. I’ve come to terms that people who are selfish are those who feel that they don’t have to do what others are required to do. They feel that they don’t have to follow the law. Those standards don’t apply to them. 

Lack of Responsibilities

Second, people don’t have responsibilities beyond themselves. They don’t care or think about others; their focus is only on what they want or can get from others. Many people that have been in prison still leave with the same negative mindset, thinking and doing negative things. Making a change is far from their minds, nor is doing the right and positive thing. With no responsibilities, or no place to go, or not having any kind of stability, these individuals return to prison. This is all they know and how they want to live.

Change is something we must want. But these types of individuals don’t want to change. Often with all the different circumstances and situations that have affected them, they make bad choices. This has a major impact on their lives, as well as those around them. 

From where I now sit behind barbed-wire walls, and from what all I’ve come to realize and understand, we must want to stay free. We must want to do the right thing, no matter what! We can’t take all things and situations into our own hands. Sometimes, probably most of the time, we need to just let things play out, let things run their course. 

Did you miss the previous short stories in this “Why do people wind up in prison?” series? If so, check them out below:

• “I Didn’t Know How to Ask for Help” by JacobUnlimited
• “Edmund: a story about drinking” by MichaelUnlimited
• “I Should Have Just Been a Kid,” by KennethUnlimited