Surviving Daily (Mentally, Physically, Spiritually) While Incarcerated Part 3

Your Mental Health

Prison can destroy you mentally if you allow it to. It’s one of the most degrading experiences in life, and it often seems like that’s its main purpose. The uniforms, serial numbers, alarms, strip searches, lack of privacy, and endless rules—all these things are designed to humiliate, break you down, and annihilate you psychologically.

To survive the mental challenges of prison, maintaining a strong and positive mindset is essential. A positive outlook, despite the circumstances, helps you resist the overwhelming negativity of prison. Some of the most negative thinking on the planet happens in prison, where many people have succumbed to defeatism. They’ve given up because they never truly tried. When they see others making progress, they criticize rather than encourage.

Don't count yourself among the defeated. By keeping a positive attitude, you gain an advantage in any situation. Though it’s not easy, every goal faces opposition, and prison is one of the toughest environments. There will be obstacles, but by cultivating and maintaining a positive mindset, you’ll remove your biggest barrier—yourself.

Believing in yourself is critical. You must trust that you can change your circumstances and become a better person. Believe that you can get out of prison and be a good parent, partner, and a productive member of your community. You must believe in yourself because, often, no one else will.

How you view yourself determines how you see the world and others. A strong, clear self-image plays a key role in personal growth. How do you see yourself? What’s your self-concept? If it isn’t strong, do you at least have an idea of the person you want to become? These are questions worth reflecting on.

Thoughts are powerful—they can create and give life, or cause destruction. Don’t let fear, anxiety, anger, or doubt dominate your life. Negative thinking will defeat you. Instead, fill your mind with confidence and optimism, trusting that your challenges will work out in your favor. Think with patience and resilience. Clear thinking is the best kind of thinking.

Worry is one of the most useless ways to spend mental energy. I’ve seen people worry themselves into a state of hopelessness. We shouldn’t waste time worrying about things we can’t control—whether it’s a pending appeal, a relationship, or issues at home. What will happen, will happen. You don’t want to rely on drugs like Thorazine for peace of mind, or develop health problems due to worry. Save yourself the grief by focusing on improving your mind.

Knowledge is power. There’s a huge difference between a knowledgeable person and a fool. The more you know, the wiser you’ll act. Education is the key to empowerment, and prison gives you the valuable gift of time to acquire knowledge and useful skills. Channel your energy into learning and preparing for a better future once you’re released.

Reading is fundamental. At one point in history, it was illegal to teach a Black person to read because slaveholders knew that an educated Black person wouldn’t make a good slave. While that law is gone, its effects linger. Low reading levels among Black children and the mental slavery that persists today are clear evidence. Knowledge is hidden in books, and reading opens up entire worlds of information.

But reading can also be a waste of time if you don’t know what to read. Books are the mental food we consume—will you choose a nutritious, well-balanced meal, or junk? Will you read something educational and uplifting, or something shallow? The choice is yours when it comes to what you feed your mind.

Education without culture only creates an educated slave. Discover the truths of history that are hidden in books. Reading history can be one of the most rewarding forms of learning, with profound effects on your mind. I remember when I first learned that fields like medicine, mathematics, architecture, and the arts originated in Africa, specifically Egypt. It deepened my thirst for knowledge and helped me relate history to myself. When I entered college, I wasn’t misled when a professor tried to attribute those accomplishments to the Greeks.

Read often to cultivate your mind. Develop a reading habit, and if you're not a strong reader, keep practicing and you will improve. Don’t be intimidated by thick books—start with shorter ones and gradually work your way up. A steady habit of reading two books a week will lead to significant improvement over time.

Your Physical Health

Prison can break you down physically if you let it. Its environment seems designed to age you prematurely, wear you down, and lead to poor health. However, by taking proactive steps, you can protect your physical well-being while incarcerated.

Prison is a dirty place. Many prisons are old, some dating back as far as the Civil War era. Overcrowding and the deteriorating conditions create a breeding ground for pests, rodents, and diseases that spread through human contact. Physical cleanliness is crucial. Always stay clean and well-groomed. This is the first step in maintaining your health in prison. Personal hygiene not only keeps you healthy but also boosts your self-esteem and sends a positive message to others.

Pay close attention to the cleanliness of your immediate living area. Keep dirt and dust to a minimum. Most of us have dealt with pests at some point in our lives, but prisons are full of them. Be relentless when it comes to roaches and rodents, as they carry various diseases. If you see a roach crawling up your wall at 3 a.m., get up and kill it. Don’t tolerate filth in your space.

Because of the crowded conditions, physical contact with others is nearly unavoidable. One of the first things you'll notice in prison is that not everyone practices good hygiene. Some people have filthy habits and strong odors, while others may carry contagious diseases, ranging from tuberculosis to HIV. Be mindful of what you touch, and never drink or smoke after anyone. If you share a cell, keep a window cracked to maintain airflow. Avoid constant coughers.

Stay away from cigarettes, coffee, and all drugs. These substances are harmful to your health, and you don't want anything that forms a habit—something you "need" every morning to function. Addictions steal your independence, and developing independent thinking is essential for life after prison. Breaking free from habits helps you grow into a self-reliant individual.

Food is life, but prison food is not. Most of it is what I call "filler"—it lacks real nutritional value and is only meant to fill your stomach and keep you complacent. The food is often canned, dehydrated, over-boiled, or fried. The meat is of poor quality, usually ground up to hide its inferiority, and there’s an abundance of potatoes and pork. Pork, in particular, is the worst meat for human consumption as it's full of parasites. Because of this diet, many people in prison suffer from digestive issues. As a general rule, eat less, and your body will thank you.

Fresh air and sunlight are vital to life. If you have access to outdoor movement, take advantage of it, even in the winter months. Get as much sunlight as possible, as it not only benefits your physical health but also has a positive effect on your mood. Breathe in as much fresh air as you can.

Daily physical exercise is key to staying in shape and managing stress. Stretching keeps your body flexible, and practicing some form of martial arts can be beneficial. Prison is unpredictable, and anything could happen, so it’s best to stay physically ready for any situation.

Your Spiritual Health

Prison can erode your spirit if you let it. The experience of being incarcerated can make you bitter, cutting you off from compassion for others. It can strip away your moral values, and the prevalence of vice and negativity within prison walls can drain your spiritual energy. To prevent this, you must recognize that, like mind and body, the spirit is an essential part of who you are. Together, they create the complete human experience. We know the mind exists because we think, and we are aware of our bodies through sight and touch. But the spirit, though less visible, can be felt when we are in tune with ourselves.

Our African ancestors understood this connection deeply. They believed in the existence of the soul and its journey after death, where it would face judgment. This belief in an afterlife with consequences—heaven or hell—based on one’s earthly deeds was fundamental to African life, especially in Egypt. Over time, these beliefs became widespread across cultures, but they always remained at the heart of African spirituality.

In Africa, the belief in a divine Creator was central to life. Even in polytheistic traditions, where many gods were worshiped, there was always one supreme deity above all others. This faith in a higher power guided the lives of our forefathers and should remain a central theme in our lives as well. When we lose faith in the Creator or deny the existence of our souls, we disconnect from our natural selves and our humanity. A strong belief in the Creator provides us with the strength to face life’s hardships.

Prayer is the foundation of spiritual life. It is our way of communicating with and praising the one true force that governs all existence. While we may call Him by different names, we must understand that He is above all names. He is the Most High and He is One. Consistent prayer keeps us grounded and reminds us of our responsibilities to ourselves, to the Creator, and to others. It nurtures our spirit, guiding us toward righteous conduct.

Charity is another essential aspect of spiritual well-being. If the Creator is One, then His creation is one unified whole. It becomes our duty to care for others and to extend to them the peace, security, and happiness we desire for ourselves. The act of giving—whether it be material, emotional, or spiritual—is more rewarding than receiving. A simple smile, a kind word, encouragement, or offering a helping hand are all forms of charity. Through giving, we not only uplift others, but we also enrich our own spirit and ensure that we always have enough for ourselves.

Conclusion: The End

As I look back over the posts I’ve written, I realize that much has been left unsaid. Some thoughts didn’t come to mind at the time of writing, but I hope that this effort will still serve its purpose. My sincere hope is that these words help someone improve their life. No matter the circumstances or conditions, it’s possible to live a cleaner, fuller life and become a better person. I offer myself as proof of that.

Over the years, prison has changed me, but little has changed about prison itself. The sights, sounds, and voices remain the same. I see many of the same faces return, over and over again, while other faces have become much younger. The one thing that all these faces seem to share is the lack of hope that’s written across them.

I’ve always had compassion for people, which often led me to wonder how I could inspire others. My attempts to share insights with those around me usually met with resistance. Writing this has been my best way to reach out and motivate.

We are living in a time where our people are being locked away in overwhelming numbers. In a sense, we are all under some form of confinement. Through this ongoing process, we are losing our most precious resource—our youth. If reading these words makes a difference in just one life, then this humble effort has fulfilled its purpose, and for that, I thank the Almighty. I strongly believe that anyone can change if they truly desire it.

#FreeGame #WordsOfWisdom #WoW

~ Written By @AskForCorey