Prison Journalism: What panties will I wear when I get out?I'm ready for freedom, but there's so much I don't know, like what underwear to buy.
by Prison Journalism Project
12-05-2023 18:53
in Prison Journalism
Which underwear is best to wear? Image: cottonbro studio.
Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights.
--
The closer I get to getting out, the more I am asked, Are you ready to go home?
How prepared for reentry can an incarcerated individual really get? I have been incarcerated for almost nine years. I read every reentry book I can get my hands on. I have taken relapse prevention, I've practiced life skills and I've joined numerous groups to prepare. I think I've created a solid plan for my reintegration to society.
I have worked hard to develop job skills, put together a resume and obtain a college degree. I successfully navigated the chaotic society inside these fences and my own rehabilitation. Staff would tell you I am a model inmate, but will I be a model citizen?
--
I know a lot about what to expect on the outside. I know what fines and court costs I owe. I know where to find resources. I know I will be denied job and housing opportunities. I know I will have to prove myself over and over again. I know things I want to eat, places I want to go and even organizations I want to get involved in.
ALSO READ: Prison Journalism: I used to steal. Then someone stole from me
But I am starting over, crawling my way out of the wreckage of my mistakes. There's so much I don't know. Where will I work? How will I get around? How will I pay for food? What will I wear?
--
My best friend Vanessa indulges me in my daydreaming.
You will be fine, she told me over the phone. She's a polished blond who has navigated this journey herself. She swears I will wear biker shorts, high socks and platform sneakers. I'm skeptical.
Vanessa sent me pictures of outfits, which was interesting. Vanessa's perfect build seems to make it impossible for her to comprehend I'm lugging around nine years of ramen noodle residue.
I am thick now! I told her.
Girl, I'm telling you big girls are it right now! Trust me, you're gonna want a crop top. High-waisted pants will hold it all in.
Uhhh I stammered. I don't know, we will see. Let's just see how much bras and underwear are, we can't go wrong with that. Or so I thought.
I listened as Vanessa navigated a web page and fired questions at me. Okay, so what kind are you wanting - cheeky, bikini, boyshorts, briefs or a thong?
A thong?
My heart began to race. I got nervous, my face got hot and I got this terrible feeling: I can't do this. I am not going to make it, it is going to be too much. After nine years of not having choices, I don't even know what kind of underwear I want.
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: If I Were A Book
Aww, these are cute, they're lacy, my friend continued.
I interrupted her, hiding my panic with a laugh. I'm getting overwhelmed, I pretended to joke.
The thing is, reentry is not a joke. My moment is coming fast. Nobody can explain to me what triggers my mood swings. First there's excitement, then despair - then happiness, hope, grief and anger.
What will the culture shock of the transition feel like? How will I overcome the assumptions about who I am now? Will people like the new me? How will I get to know my family again? How will I explain to a bunch of new little nieces and nephews I have never met who I am and where I have been?
It is exhausting to think about because I don't know the answers - nobody does. It is my broken life and I have to put it back together.
Even though I'm as prepared as I can be, it feels like I'm not ready for anything. But I've got to start somewhere. So today, I'm thinking about underwear.
Written by Heather C. Jarvis
This article was originally published in partnership with Prison Journalism Project, a national, independent news organisation that trains incarcerated writers to be journalists and publishes their writing.
Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website?
If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prisoner journalism articles.
Are you a true Muvhango soapie superfan? Then take part in our quiz and WIN R1 000 in cash!
Most recent headlines
24/12/2025
What is AI good for? Posted by MTI Film on December 24, 2025
What is AI good for?
What is AI good for?
It's been three years since ChatGPT first cap...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Back to All News
Love, Fights, and Everything in Between: Badly in Love' Returns for Season 2
Entertainment
24 December 2025
GlobalJapan
Link copied t...
24/12/2025
Scripps Research study links sleep variability with sleep apnea and hypertension How consumers' digital activity trackers could enable personalized health s...
23/12/2025
How guilas Cibae as Dominican Winter League Games Are Locally Produced for Glob...
23/12/2025
BitFire's Jim Akimchuk on Supplying Scalability and Customization in the Clo...
23/12/2025
CAMB.AI Enables European Athletics to Offer Multi-Language SupportPlan is to eventually offer translation into all languages spoken in EuropeBy Ken Kerschbaumer...
23/12/2025
Analysis: As sports media values trend negative, scarcity and quality are king By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 14:08
Print ...
23/12/2025
ESPN, Disney, and NBA Return to the Animated Altcast Fray With Second Edition of...
23/12/2025
End the Year on a High Note and Donate to the Sports Broadcasting Fund Today! By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 12:25 pm
...
23/12/2025
The year is winding down, the weather outside is frightful, and it's the perfect time to escape into a story that warms the heart. For listeners looking for...
23/12/2025
A Zeus motor is hot fire tested at L3Harris' Camden, Arkansas, solid rocket ...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Lightware will exhibit several major product innovations at ISE 2026, including the new USB-C BOOSTER-V1, Google Meet. integration for various Taurus UCX models...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Taking the Stage at Carnegie Hall-On a Global Scale Boston Conservatory Orchestra students reflect on their epic concert marking the 80th session of the UN Gene...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix's The Great Flood and Culinary Class Wars 2 Top Gl...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
Stranger Things By the Numbers: How the Global Phenomenon Shap...
23/12/2025
Experience the power of WO Automation for Radio's newest service, the System Effectiveness Review. Designed to help you achieve more, a System Effectiveness...
23/12/2025
23 Dec 2025
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony Collaborate to A...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
How Steamy Can It Get? Single's Inferno' Season 5 Pre...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
33 Million Global Viewers on Netflix Watched Jake Paul vs. Ant...
23/12/2025
New technique lights up where drugs go in the body, cell by cell Scripps Research scientists developed a technique that maps drug binding in individual cells th...
22/12/2025
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Presidio's Neerav Shah on the Role of Its Captiva...
22/12/2025
Hitting the bullseye: Sky Sports readies itself for the biggest PDC World Darts ...
22/12/2025
Unique skillset: Bringing new directors to the world of darts at The Worlds with...
22/12/2025
Gravity Media prepares for a flight of fancy with the PDC World Darts Championsh...
22/12/2025
One hundred and eighty: Gravity Media on hitting the production bullseye at the ...
22/12/2025
The Famous Group's Jon Slusser on Fascinating Fans Through Immersive Content...
22/12/2025
ESPN's Meg Aronowitz on Continuing High-Quality Broadcasts of Collegiate Spo...
22/12/2025
ESPN Takes Data-Driven Storytelling to New Heights with MNF Playbook with Next ...
22/12/2025
For a decade, popular German podcast Fest & Flauschig has hosted an annual Chris...
22/12/2025
Paramount Scores Largest Share Increase Among Distributors as Paramount and CBS...
22/12/2025
New multi-year deal integrates Roku's data to fuel Nielsen's measurement suite
Roku gains access to Nielsen's streaming ratings, showing The Roku C...
22/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
22/12/2025
Berklee Wrapped 2025: Our Top News and Stories A look back at a year highlighted by faculty milestones, major film and television projects, Bob Dylan's ho...
22/12/2025
The works of Plato state that when humans have an experience, some level of change occurs in their brain, which is powered by memory - specifically long-term me...
22/12/2025
Partnership integrates complementary satellite data and AI analytics to enhance security, infrastructure, and environmental monitoring solutions for global cust...
22/12/2025
Workflows allow you to create a sequence of planned events which may be added to your template(s) or inserted directly into your sequential or background playli...
Prison Journalism: What panties will I wear when I get out?I'm ready for freedom, but there's so much I don't know, like what underwear to buy.
