RELEASE FROM OUR PERSONAL PRISONS

For a child of an addicted mother, the experience of being trapped in her own personal prison can begin at birth. Growing up in a rough environment with few positive role models, hearing pessimistic messages from many sources, being surrounded by negative behavior and getting much blame and little encouragement reinforce negative outcomes as the child grows up. Getting involved with a bad crowd, abusing or becoming addicted to intoxicating substances, being sexually active early, physically and sexually abused, making mistakes and feeling the disappointment of family and friends only add to low self esteem and negative attitudes and expectations.

Without positive skills and on a path of self-destruction, these women are frequently branded by society as “undesirables” who are able to commit terrible crimes as they try to quench their uncontrollable pain. By the time many women enter prison, they are convinced that “That’s just me and that’s the way life is.” They lose hope in themselves and achieving something better. Despite good intentions, getting out of jail doesn’t necessarily mean their lives will get better. Change that truly lasts must come from the inside out.