I think if more people knew what the system was really like, that somehow, I don’t know what the change would be, but they would want to change it.

One thing about prison, if they don’t drag you down and drive you crazy, it can give you a certain strength that it’s hard to take away.

I think the public would be a little more willing to embrace us with a little less sensational publicity. I wish the media would quit clumping murderers, rapists and robbers together. I’m not justifying any of it, but I think, in the context of badness, I think a murder of someone who has wronged you is less severe than murdering an innocent or anonymous person brutally for kicks. The sensational cases, the weirdo cases, give a bad name to everybody because it paints everyone with the same brush.

When I got out on mandatory, I didn’t know what to expect from people. I didn’t try to hide that I was in jail. If it came up casually the first reaction was to withdraw - pull away, then ask, “What for?”

“Well - bank robbery.”
“That’s not so bad.”
Generally people could deal with it.

Ian R. Mooring
Inmate
Kent Institution

Update: Ian was eventually released on parole (for life). He works as a logging truck driver. He has had a couple of driving related convictions, but otherwise has upheld his parole conditions.