When returning to society after time in prison, you always have choices. These choices can be boiled down to two things:
- Do you want to return to prison?
- What steps are YOU going to take to avoid a return to prison?
There is a range of protective factors that you will need to assist you to integrate back into the community; housing, family/peer support, drugs/alcohol support, access to training, social security, mental health support, and a job. Given most jobs carry with them a criminal record check, it’s at the discretion of the employer whether to give you a chance, after reviewing offenses you committed. However, don’t despair, there is always another option, and that is to start a business yourself.
The nine actions below are based on my own personal experiences in the Criminal Justice System, and the steps I took upon release to get my life on a different path. These actions require will power, perseverance, and grit. You will find that the right support will become available once you step forward and take responsibility, just as I did nearly 25 years ago.
Do you want a list of solutions that may help you gain success faster?
If you’re a first-time entrepreneur who hasn’t been to prison, review actions 1-3 and 7-9. All you ex-offenders don’t get away so lightly. Every action stated below will build a solid understanding of the navigation tools required to accomplish your goals.
1. The Power of Why
When starting any journey towards starting a business, you must first define your why. The key is to understand your motivations for starting. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time entrepreneur or ex-offender you need to nail this question at the outset. Once you define your values and beliefs, you need to match that with the skills you have. If you don’t possess the skills at present, identify where you will need support and further learning. If you draw on your experiences of life, there will be others who you can reach with your ideas.
2. The Power of the Market
You must identify what problem you want to solve to help others. The key to any business is to solve problems. Yes, you can have passion and motivation, but the market wants to know how you can help make their lives better or easier. To understand the market, talk to people, ask questions, do research online, and get focussed on how you will develop your business to help that market.
3. The Power of Company Structure
There is a range of company structures you need to explore and decide which one suits you best. There are great resources online, or you can speak to your local jobs and benefits office or enterprise park. Each company structure has a set of governing instruments such as memorandum and articles of association, share structures, limited partnerships, sole trader, limited liability partnerships, etc. Don’t get overwhelmed about structures; the advice available will help you choose much easier.
4. The Power of Agencies
If you have been released on license, you will need to maintain active communication with your probation officer. Use this time to ask questions, seek advice and guidance about what you want to do. The probation service will have a range of networks and stakeholders they can connect you with.
Failure is an option. It’s what you do with failure that makes you who you are. Our failures mould us.
~~ David Goggins
5. The Power of Prison Programs
If you were part of any training programs inside the gate such as business training, entrepreneurship, how to build a start-up, then there will be contacts for you to access when you leave. Some of these programs even provide follow up of up to 3-6 months when you exit if you want to get a job or start a business. It is crucial if you want to change your life, you access these services, as they open up opportunities to people and other organisations. There is nothing people like more in someone changing their life path, it can be hugely inspirational, but more importantly, it’s real
6. The Power of Social Security
When released, and if you have a registered address, you need to get to the nearest job and benefits office to make a new claim. The reason for this is two-fold:
- Allows you to access some money to meet your basic human needs, food, shelter, and clothing;
- You are assigned a work coach whose role is to assist you to identify how you can access work, gain skills, job search, or start a new business;
- In having access to some money while you start to re-adjust to life beyond the gate, you can start prioritising what market your new business will serve.
7. The Power of Your story
Everyone has a story that can tug at people’s emotions. You need to get comfortable with your story, as it’s part of who you are. How many people do you know who have lost their liberty, and want to do something about it? In being transparent and open with people, you will find help where you least expect it. It’s a well-known fact in life, but particularly business, that people buy people. You only have you, as your brand.
8. The Power of Action
There will always be obstacles or barriers in pursuing your goals. However, you need to ask yourself a series of questions:
Where do I want to be in 12 months?
- What story is holding me back?
- Am I happy?
- What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?
- What am I going to do to change my future?
- The door swings both ways. You need to develop a mindset of pushing forward, as the only person that can change your present, Is You
9. The Power of Mentors
One of the best actions you can take when you leave prison is to connect with someone who can help assist and guide your future direction. The role of a mentor can prove invaluable in helping you adjust, reflect on the present situation, and set simple steps that can move you forward. You can ask advice from agencies and nonprofits about who has worked with ex-offenders before, maybe they can match you with them. It’s as simple as a cup of coffee, just to communicate your plans.
Remember how far you have come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you were, you used to be.
~~ Rick Warren
Lights Out
The two words all prisoners hear, and some fear, at the same time, every day/week during their stay behind the walls. It is the time when they are left alone with their thoughts, and realize that life goes on without them. It is then, and only then, that they can commit to taking action upon release. There were times during my own experiences that I started to formulate in my head what I needed to do when released. Once you hear the keys rattle and the gates close behind you, it’s time for those thoughts to start taking action.
Returning to society can be one of the most difficult challenges you will ever face. You have to navigate all the vices which you will have access to again; alcohol, drugs, and risk-taking behaviours. Furthermore, the peer group you left behind will all want to come back into your life again, which can put you into circumstances you need to avoid. Or guess what, your back behind the walls again.
I remember my release day when 25 friends called to my mum’s house in Belfast with enough drink and drugs to put 50 horses to sleep for a month. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make in saying no, and sticking to it. However, it was the best decision I ever made, as I didn’t look back. After that decision, I went to college. Earned a degree before starting a business for myself. In writing this post, those memories which are nearly 25 years old, feel like yesterday. It is moments like these that shape your future, you just have to commit to them.
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