Over time, therapy, community programs, and supportive relationships can help break through these walls, allowing genuine healing to begin. While some former prisoners may have developed aggressive tendencies to defend themselves in a hostile environment, others may go the opposite route and develop an intense desire to avoid conflict. This can manifest in them avoiding confrontations, even when it might be beneficial to assert themselves. This habit may stem from a need to keep the peace and avoid trouble, which was essential for survival in prison.
Prison life can reduce individuality — uniforms, numbers, and routines replace personal choice and self-expression. Many former prisoners wrestle with rebuilding their sense of identity after release. Questions like “Who am I now?” or “Where do I belong?” become central. Some find new purpose through art, mentorship, or advocacy, transforming their experiences into sources of strength and wisdom.
