Gadsden prison taught me how to survive

I was in prison for 20 years. I had a long time to reflect and figure out who I really was.

I went to prison when I was 19, and the world had changed a lot since 1995. I didn’t know how to manage my finances or how to work a cell phone. I never had a job before I went to prison, so I had no idea how to interview (let alone how to talk about my past).

The free world was intimidating, but with the help of Gadsden Correctional Facility, operated by Management & Training Corporation, I was able to learn how to survive in the world - and I want others who may be incarcerated or have a loved one who is incarcerated to know people can change.

I arrived at Management & Training Corporation’s facility in 2014; the atmosphere there was different from the prisons I had stayed at in the past.

The staff genuinely cared about my well-being. It was still a prison, and you had to follow the rules, but if you had a desire to improve your life, the staff would go above and beyond to help you succeed.

They still check up on me today to make sure I’m doing alright. It means the world to me.

Their rehabilitation and life-skills classes helped me learn the basics of how to survive as an adult, which prepared me for the day I was released.

I learned how to use a cell phone, how to dress, and how to be myself. I also learned how to manage my finances and how to find a job because of Gadsden County’s Management & Training Corporation.

At the end of one of my courses, we had people from the outside world do mock interviews with us so we could test our skills.

I was a nervous wreck. All I could do was cry through the whole interview. I was afraid I would be judged.

The man I was with came over and told me that he just wanted me to relax and be myself.

He reminded me that I had a great personality and he appreciated my honesty, and then he taught me how to answer interview questions.

That experience helped me keep my head up high going forward.

I like to brag about my time at Gadsden because it was a transformational experience.

I was called by my legal name. I was treated with respect. I was given opportunities to make my own decisions. Everyone was nice. The programs gave each resident the opportunity to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.

The warden even came on her day off to see me when I was released and wished me well.

Gadsden showed me that I wasn’t the person I had become in prison.

I remember I was so upset when I heard I was being transferred to Gadsden, but little did I know God had much bigger plans for me.

It was such a privilege to have served there.

If there were more facilities that were run the way this facility is, there would be a higher success rate for reducing recidivism.

I just want to say that if people take the chance, they will succeed.

I owe everything I am today to the Gadsden facility.

I can now be a respectful member of society because I have learned from my past and I have made that necessary change to be better.

I will never forget my experience there. I don’t know who I would be without it - and I truly mean that.

Robyn Kraholik Brandl - Guest Columnist

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Gadsden prison taught me how to survive

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What’s Your Big App Idea? App Challenge opens to student innovators

Lieutenant Anglie Holmes works on building a better Gadsden County

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