By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
Incarceration can be a mental strain for anyone. The transition back into the world can be difficult if proper help and tools are not received before and after release. The emotional and mental toll of reentering society can be daunting, especially when trauma, isolation and lack of support are involved.
“The biggest thing for me was being away from my children,” said Trina Seldon, founder and executive director of Out for Justice (OFJ).
Seldon served two and a half years in prison and said her criminal past was rooted in unresolved trauma. The emotional toll of family separation and the lack of mental health resources during incarceration made reentry especially difficult for her.
“There’s no way to cope with that in there, so you just cope in silence,” she said.
Her period of incarceration was especially hard for her young son.
“Once I came home, I sought out a therapist, but he told me he didn’t understand why I was there. That was another blow.”
Tonya Hayes, a member of OFJ, echoed the sense of isolation.
“When I came home, I felt really alone,” she said. “My family wasn’t close by, and I didn’t have support in Baltimore.”
Her support system was a cellmate, whom she barely knew.
“My mental health was really bad,” recalls Hayes. “I was scared to even go outside because my case had been all over the news.”
Like Hayes, many returning citizens grapple with the emotional aftermath of incarceration before they can begin to heal. Dewand Sutton, who served 18 years in prison, described incarceration as a space where showing compassion, empathy, vulnerability can make a person a target. Survival meant masking those instincts.
“It was frightening,” said Sutton.“I was fearful at times, devastated. But through that nightmare, I learned how to face my fear and embrace my faith.”
Sutton, like many formerly incarcerated individuals, described prison as an “animalistic environment.
“You have to cover up your natural emotions — compassion, caring, understanding — just to survive,” he said. “Reading the Bible gave me peace and taught me how to respond intellectually, not violently.”
For many, programs and faith-based groups provided structure and a sense of purpose inside, but reentry often lacked the same support.
“Even though I was far from my family, I saw God start to transform me,” Hayes said. “People started coming to me asking for prayer. That’s when I knew I was there for a reason.”
Reentry programs can be vital, but they are not always sufficient. Seldon participated in numerous programs while incarcerated, with promises of support upon release. But the reality was much different. She faced barriers to employment and housing, despite her efforts. Frustrated by the lack of accessible resources, she founded Out for Justice, an organization that now helps returning citizens understand their rights and find the support they need.
“I felt alone at first… but when I joined Out for Justice, I no longer felt alone. I found people who’d been through something–not just ‘done something,’” stated Hayes.
“Addressing your mental health doesn’t make you weak. Addiction is not the problem — we’re the problem. Drugs are just a symptom,” stated Seldon.
Sutton urges those currently incarcerated to slow down and reflect.
“Give yourself five seconds to breathe when emotions rise,” he said. “Accountability, compassion and thinking before you react — that’s what makes you a man.”
These returning citizens’ stories show that reentry is a process, not a moment. And for many, the journey to healing begins long after the prison doors close behind them.
Understanding this process requires looking at the full trajectory—from incarceration to community reintegration. According to the Prison Fellowship, a Christian nonprofit organization that supports the incarcerated, returning citizens and their loved ones, there are many ways to help someone mentally and emotionally recover from serving time.
- Understand culture shock– The key to helping your loved one with culture shock is to be patient. Offer them help with decision making, new cultural norms, and life organization.
- Be aware of depression- Depression after incarceration is very common.Start with one goal a day. Encourage them to reward themselves with something small, like take a long walk or enjoy a special meal, when each goal is achieved.
- Communicate your frustration- The best way to improve feelings of frustration is through communication. Talk to each other about how you perceive the way they express their frustration and decide the best way to express these feelings.
- Manage anger – In prison, aggression and anger are methods of protection. Whenever they feel angry, encourage your loved one to take a step back and focus on slow breathing for 10 seconds. Then try to discuss and isolate the cause of their anger.
- Deal with rejection- Remind them to be easy on themselves – they are not a failure. They must keep working, stay focused, and give themselves credit for the progress they have made. Encourage them to focus on their ultimate desired outcome rather than their past failures.
- Resist negative influences- Discuss your loved one’s individual restraints, comfort levels, and what they believe is right and wrong and encourage them to stick to these restraints in all scenarios. It is important for your loved one to understand their own individual needs and goals before going into more group settings.
- Combat addiction- Addictions are incredibly difficult to work through without support. Your loved one will need your emotional support, love, care, and guidance to help them. Many times, they may need help from a licensed therapist or doctor to provide a clear, research-backed path to beating their addiction.