This is listed as being posted by FG but it is in reality being written and posted by the person who was formerly known as inmate 1 aka prisoner number 69482-018. I am grateful to FG for all of her help when I served my 6 months and the continued help she is providing for those still incarcerated.
It's been 2 months since my release and I would love to say everything has gone well and that life is grand. It's not. I cannot find a job and I am more than trying. I have applied to over 150 positions at this point ranging from graphic designer (my actual trade) to part time seasonal at places like Target. I cannot seem to pass the background check. People love me in interviews but the background check with ONE felony charge and otherwise 100% clean apparently makes me unemployable. I am struggling more than I ever have in my life. I am honestly at my wits end about what to do in the employability department. I have a husband and we have a very modest life and even that is at risk. I am not sure what to do outside of keep selling my stuff on ebay and deciding to make a difference in the prison system. I know that if I am having a hard time succeeding then what will happen to all the people I used to know in prison. I was their hope that things will be better when they get out. Now they hear about me struggling and it's soul crushing. This system needs to be better. We need to support people who admittedly made a mistake but are on the right path. We need employers to not only ban the box but are actually held accountable for their illegal prejudicial hiring decisions. The law says you have to give me a direct reason as to how my crime relates to the job I am applying for. Considering my crime was theft of government funds (which will be explained in a whole other post) - how am I not qualified to create a flyer for you??
So I have decided that I need to blog every day about the trials and tribulations of being free but also the actual experiences I had while at FMC Carswell for 6 months. There was a lot I did not share while I was there for fear of institutional retaliation. I knew the warden knew about my blog and I did not want to be sent to the SHU (aka special housing unit) for speaking up about the conditions. That is why I remained anonymous. However the time for anonymity has ended and I will gladly stand up and fight. The battle begins NOW.
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