Prison Journalism: You think the streets are crazy?

Prison Journalism: You think the streets are crazy?Wesley 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

10-05-2024 08:11

in Prison Journalism

Prison journalism

Image via Pexels

Streets what comes to mind when you hear this word? Where does your mind take your imagination? Suppose you need an explanation of what the word means. Take all that and forget everything. Allow me to take you on a first-hand journey through my experience living on the streets and vividly participating in gangsterism and crime.

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You are an individual Depending on your level of mental capacity, physical traits, and most of all, traits like heart and endurance, you will have to confront the harsh realities of life on the streets. You need to have a clear understanding of yourself, your weaknesses, and strengths, or you won't survive very long on the streets. Everything that happens in your life out there is negative and will eventually lead to your doom.

Rough sleeping and hygiene If you come from a good home and were dressed by family, the events you must endure daily, sleeping outside and living hand-to-mouth, are extremely difficult at first. There will be times when you feel bitter inside, and because it gets tougher, the streets have a balancing effect on your position in society. Your love for yourself, things like showering and eating properly, takes a hit.

Once you start feeling the weight Every single way you live on the streets, it takes something from you-a part of your health, your hygiene, and your cleanliness. A part of your memory of how you struggled in life is with you, even after managing to get off the streets. Now, even living indoors, I still feel the marks the streets left behind me, like an invisible scar that influences everything I do daily. For instance, when I talk to people who only discuss trivial things, I'm reminded of how ignorant they are of real life. I've sadly realized that no matter what, I must allow myself to stay in a better position again.

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DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

This project in collaboration with RESTORE currently works with formerly incarcerated young men in the communities.

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