Prison journalism: Redemption's Journey: Overcoming a Troubled Past

Prison journalism: Redemption's Journey: Overcoming a Troubled PastWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's research and reintegration project.

by Wesley Leong

16-11-2023 09:48

in Prison Journalism

Prison barsImage: Pixabay

So, I never thought that I would end up where I am in life today. I try my hardest to evade my past life, but it seems it catches up to me. Every single move I make has to be three steps ahead. Whether it is criminal behaviour, substance abuse, involvement, etc., I have to make sure I am five steps ahead or my life will take a turn for the worst. And I dread throwing away all my hard work, personally restating everything I had managed to change for the better, down the drain.

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Observations from the Streets I have noticed while living on the street how many individuals talk about wanting to change and how they would like to stop taking drugs. Many of them are ex-offenders and members of the number's gangs. The problem is that I noticed how the system has corrupted the minds of ex-offenders, that it is prioritized outside of prison today, and to be honest, it will take a miracle for a change of mindset to be applied. It is like the devil is completely busy and has the aiming position in our society. No wonder how possible this change can occur; God is the only way out!

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Hope and Resilience Amid Struggles Imagine for a second life with no crime, complete peace, nothing but love surrounding you. Blissful, is it not? Now, a community that is involved with ex-offenders to support them back into normal society. It is there to supply, to provide a sense of income to survive everyday life.

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Forgiveness is another factor for ex-offenders, one ridden with guilt. What if that person is not truly forgiven? It will be extremely difficult to change.

There has to be a means that we can derive that will change the mindset of the members, because if you entitle your endowment, then it will only take you back. I see only a mindset for the corrupt mindset of the number in the ones that seek change away from that lifestyle. In their eyes, I see the seeking and desire for a better life, but the negative factors overwhelm these dreams, and they become forgotten hopes and dreams. I take a look back at myself and wonder if I have a similar look deep in my eyes. My personal struggles in my life are getting deeper by the day, as much as I try to walk away from doing the wrong, it is just about almost wins. I can only thank God for bringing me this far in my life. I only wish that others like me have the grace of God to save them, as we all know how hard it is. Surprisingly, there are a few that have made a way of life similar to mine, and we share values and hopes that one day they could be possible, and life can be better for all, but sadly, we believe that the negative factors are holding this change back. So, what do we do?

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Reflecting on Life's Meaning and Choices

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The Call for Collective Action We need to put our heads together and urgently come up with information, action, movement, support systems, and so much more to be in place, or we can forget about change, as while we think we are making a change, it will already be in a place of no more hope because, to be real, there will be no way out!

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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