All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Prison: Life Lessons from Behind the Razor Wire

Rich Brown, aka " Richard Write ",Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jun 17, 2008

In 2004, I went to prison. I have decided not to go back.

The "why" for my incarceration is not important, but I know curiosity makes you want to know. It was for an identity theft charge which was later overturned by the appeals court--but not until I had served three years.

So since the court finally agreed with me that I did nothing criminal, you might think that I believe those three years of my life were wasted. I do not. During my incarceration, I learned several life-lessons that I believe will allow me to keep my commitment to not go back. But more importantly, these are profound lessons that anyone--free or behind bars--could use to be a better person.

1) I learned that when everyone wears the same clothes, people are not so different. At the Indiana Department of Correction, our uniform color was brown. Every inmate wore the same clothing, and so until someone told you he was wealthy, you had no idea. I lived in the same dorm with people who were from the ghetto and others who were wealthy. Yet we all learned to get along, because nobody really stood out as different. It's not our money or possessions that define us; it's our character.

2) I learned that everything a person needs to survive can fit in a box. In prison, they made us keep all of our personal belongings in something that resembled a military footlocker. Surprisingly, it all fit just fine--with room to spare. Behind the wall, you learn to get by on much less than in "the real world." Sure, a new car and a beautiful house are nice...but you can survive just fine without all of that. Maybe things would even be easier if we learned to downsize our lives.

When I was free, it would take a new TV or expensive suit to get me excited. In prison, a new Bible made my week.

3) I learned not to cut in line. In prison, there is always this group who thinks nothing of cutting in front of someone in the lunch line or in the line going in the recreation building. But this always causes hostility among the more seasoned inmates who wait their turn. In short, prison teaches those who will listen to value the golden rule. You never advance yourselves by walking on others; instead you learn that others' rights are as important as your own.

4) I learned to walk in the lines. Most prisons have lines everywhere, telling you where you can walk, where you can stand, where you must never enter. Cross the wrong line and you can get a conduct report. Sure, there were always the rebellious ones who tried to walk as close to the line as they could, sometimes even crossing briefly. But the ones who cared about rehabilitating themselves stayed far away from the lines. In the process they learned that nothing good comes from trying to blur the line between right and wrong conduct. You should stay as far away from wrong conduct as possible.

5) I learned that the key to overcoming depression is to help others. It's probably not a shock to hear that a lot of people in prison are depressed and in a bad mood I spent my time, though, tutoring other inmates to read and to pass their GED. And I must say--I never hated my life in prison. Yes, I hate prison--but I never hated my life in prison, because I knew I was helping someone else. And that took my mind off my own problems.

I don't recommend everyone go to prison. But if you want to become a better person that others will enjoy being around, I do recommend that you try adopting the lessons that prison teaches.

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