Emotional Stability During Incarceration: Achieving and maintaining emotional stability in prison with the help of motivational quotes and positive affirmations

The United States is the world leader in incarceration. It incarcerates individuals at a higher rate and in higher numbers, than any other country. The total number of prisoners held under the jurisdiction of state and federal correctional authorities as of December 31, 2015, were 1,526,800 – according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. There are more people with mental illnesses in the U.S. criminal justice system as compared to those in the general population. It is estimated that in the USA, one in five incarcerated persons is afflicted with a major psychiatric illness. These inmates often find the prison health systems inappropriate for continuing treatment. Invariably, their mental health deteriorates during incarceration. On release, they end up facing tough barriers to community integration. Spending time in the prison systems in the USA is also be associated with several mental health issues, in otherwise ‘psychologically normal’ inmates - as the author noticed during his incarceration. These disturbed inmates are unable to vent their distress and/or get help. Emotional instability in prison may make them more prone to the ‘prison incarceration syndrome’, upon release. The risk of recidivism also rises. These inmates however, do not seek help and usually suffer in silence. This book provides some self-help pathways to achieve better emotional stability, when incarcerated. Inspirational quotes give insight into the thoughts and teachings of very wise people. These individuals have experienced and weathered extreme situations in life, both good and bad. Their quotes contain nuggets about their experiences during these emotional upheavals. You have veered off your intended track in life - these motivational sayings will help you get back on track. Positive affirmations help remove your negative software in the brain and replace it with positive qualities. This re-writing is associated with a re-wiring in the brain – a process known as ‘neuroplasty’. With repetition, the positive changes become permanent. As a result, you improve your self-esteem, develop more self-confidence and become emotionally stable. You become a more loving, caring and a friendlier person. Positive thinking also impacts your physical health – you become physically more active. Positive affirmations also reinforce the positive characteristics that you already possess.