When You Get Out

This is to the ansaroutreach.com. My name is Adrian D. Ruffin and I have been out of prison over a year now and was incarcerated for 30 years and I would like to say that I really respect what you all are doing for those transitioning back to society. I have to say that it is not easy and let me be clear that this is not to place ex-cons all in the same rut but to let it be known that no one escapes the stereotype after incarceration. But know this; that we all need that support no matter if it was 3 years or 30 years. No one adjust like that! We as ex-cons endured many things to survive in prison and so we are still in that mode until we eventually break that mode of behavior. You won't just drop it at the door and that's it; no. You got to really focus and reflect on your life and what you need to do There are many distractions. For some of us family will be the biggest obstacle. But with the right support from those who truly understands these struggles faced once released then one can heal and move on. I say this cause the climate for one was un-natural and did not have your best interest but self-help was always there if he/she wanted it. When I come home I had to learn the basics but in a crash course way. Yes! help was there but you had to put the work in. Family will help but sometimes they don't know how to help. It took me a while to open up. New world, new environment. What you were as me were preparing to come home to what I thought was a white picket fence but that was further from the truth. I had to face obstacles sometimes just to get basic services. Hear me! But not all have those problems. Those that do need the extra help at times. I say to this outreach organization that what you are doing is very much needed. Patience is not societies good virtue. Do it or you don't...bottom line. I can only say that God guided me and along with those who showed love to me in my transition. Without it I may had relapsed. There again is plenty of help out here but truly sometimes they don't know how to help. I had to learn to how to ask. My attitude sometimes got in the way but I had to get away from that and begin to grow. You have to! To those who are about to come home or already home to not short change yourself but definitely don't wreck it either. Adrian Ruffin***