The invisible bars: Mental health challenges of life after prison

Last year, in coordination with the Mat-Su Reentry Coalition (MSRC), a former inmate discussed the valuable tools and services that are available from the MSRC, which he credited for said have greatly helped him navigate the complexities in life after serving over 16 years behind bars.

While the former inmate, identified as “Todd,” spoke at length about the physical needs and immediate priorities the MSRC assisted him with—a place to live, transportation, and employment—he also disclosed the underlying mental health needs that the MSRC helped him deal with, even if it was just by being there.

Upon meeting with Todd last year, he presented as any other hard-working person around the Mat-Su, with nothing identifying him as a former inmate or ex-con. But he says that while he was inside, he had to change who he was in order to get along. “I had to be something else. I had to be someone else, because that’s just the nature.” He says that any criminal behavior he had was developed while incarcerated, that it isn’t who he is.

He keeps a picture of that former version of himself as a reminder. “Sometimes it’s good to see a picture of what somebody was, and (a picture) of what somebody wants to be in order to live. I wasn’t a bad guy, but I wasn’t a good guy either. …That’s not how I wanted to live, but that’s how it was.”

Todd says that’s important to know what happened on the inside in order to understand the stress placed upon inmates when they are released. The MSRC has helped him deal with those more personal issues from his incarceration as he reintegrated back into society, from self-doubt to anxiety attacks, which he says with especially the first months after his release. “You do not do this much time without being highly, adversely affected.” He says the first four months after his release, he suffered anxiety attacks and self-doubt. He recounts an episode while out shopping with a case manager.

“Going into a grocery store was rough. There’s a lot of people in there, a lot of things going on. You might not think of it being a hard place to be…but I lived in a highly-regimented, structured atmosphere with limited positive stimulation and things to make you happy, so going to the grocery store, I was on edge.” Todd says while the case manager had gone to grab a replacement item for a damaged bag of frozen fries, something he wasn’t immediately aware of, and when he went to look for her, she was gone. It sent him into what he called a full-blown anxiety attack.

He says that while he didn’t pass out or disassociate, it was debilitating, leaving him feeling as if he was on the verge of a heart attack. “They can be terrifying.” He says it doesn’t happen now, but similar situations can be the reality for many inmates upon release. But it was having the case managers and staff there to talk to that helped.

He thinks the stress and mental health can be contributing factors to many inmates deciding to return to life behind bars. “The stress of trying to realize who you are and who you want to be, and sometimes all of this will come together successfully, and sometimes, for some, it’s just easier to go back. It’s just easier. It’s less stress. I know what I had to look forward to every day. And I had those thoughts before, but I’m not going to do them.”

Newly released inmates face significant mental health challenges like Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS), PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to trauma, isolation, and difficulty adjusting to freedom, often leading to substance abuse and higher risks of overdose or suicide in the immediate weeks post-release.

According to the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI), nationally, about 80% of individuals released from prison have a chronic medical, substance use, or psychiatric condition. The risk of death by suicide or overdose dramatically increases in the first days and weeks after an individual is released from jail or prison. There is also a higher risk of repeated incarceration.

Successful re-entry begins in the weeks and months before someone is released. Gaining access to social supports (food, employment, education) and community supports (family, friends, social networks) are critical for successful reintegration.

Access to mental and physical health care is equally important. Research suggests that those who have health care upon re-entry are more likely to engage in services and supports that reduce recidivism.

“Many of the individuals we serve in reentry programs face significant mental health challenges,” says Barbara Monger, Coordinator for MSRC. “These statistics highlight the critical need to destigmatize mental health conditions and ensure that accessible, effective resources are available for individuals who are struggling. Supporting mental wellness—especially for vulnerable populations—not only improves individual outcomes but also strengthens communities as a whole.”

The FY26 operating budget (HB 53) for Alaska totals approximately $11.85B in operating expenditures, while the separate mental health budget (HB 55) allocates about $236.7M for integrated comprehensive mental health programs. Both bills were enacted on June 12, 2025.

Within the budgets are several programs addressing a variety of mental health issues across the state, including Discharge Incentive Grants, with funds supporting and maintaining housing and wrap-around supports for people exiting prison, which increases the likelihood of stability, self-sufficiency and success after incarcerations.

Other items address vocational training and expands the use of approved and secure electronic devices to access rehabilitative programs and activities, education, vocational training, treatment and recovery, reentry, tribal, faith-based, and more.

Next week, recidivism—repeated returns to prison-is discussed.

For more information about the MSRC, please visit www.akreentry.org/matsu-reentry-coalition/