When it comes to the conversation about incarceration, most of the focus is on the time someone spends behind bars. The hardships of prison life, the legal battles, and the emotional turmoil of being separated from society often get the spotlight. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that tends to be overlooked and, frankly, avoided: Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS). 

Why? Why do so many people, whether it be loved ones, mental health professionals, or even the individuals coming home from prison, run from this conversation? Why do they shy away from acknowledging the psychological and emotional side effects that often follow a person once they’re released?

Let’s break it down.

The Unseen Wounds of Prison

Prison changes people, in ways most of us would rather not admit. Sure, we can see the external marks of incarceration—tattoos, scars, a hardened demeanor—but it’s the internal scars that often run deepest. The trauma, anxiety, and disconnection from life outside prison walls don’t simply vanish once someone steps through the gate. It’s not like flipping a switch. 

PICS is a real psychological condition that mirrors symptoms seen in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but with a unique twist. This syndrome is a combination of trauma, institutionalization, and the often harsh realities of returning to a society that may no longer feel familiar. It manifests in emotional numbness, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and sometimes, a distorted sense of reality.

But many people—especially those who have never experienced the criminal justice system firsthand—would rather stick their heads in the sand than acknowledge these realities.

Why is Talking About PICS So Uncomfortable?

1. Fear of the Unknown

The first reason people avoid talking about Post-Incarceration Syndrome is simple: fear. When we don’t understand something, we often choose to ignore it. And let’s be real—most people don’t understand what it’s like to spend years or decades locked up in a cell, isolated from society, and then be thrown back into the world, expected to just “fit in.”

PICS is not something you can see like a broken bone or a physical injury. It’s internal, deeply psychological, and affects the mind in ways that are hard to grasp unless you’ve lived it. Fear of not knowing how to handle it, what to say, or how to support someone dealing with PICS causes many to avoid the topic altogether.

2. Stigma of Mental Health

Mental health in general is a topic that has been stigmatized for far too long. When you mix mental health challenges with the criminal justice system, that stigma only deepens. People are uncomfortable talking about mental illness, especially when it comes to citizens who have returned.

We live in a society that’s quick to label and slow to forgive. Once someone has been incarcerated, they often carry a permanent label of “criminal,” regardless of their efforts to rehabilitate. Adding mental health issues to that mix creates even more discomfort, leading people to dodge conversations about PICS because it reinforces stereotypes they’d rather not confront.

3. Denial of Responsibility

Loved ones and family members are often in denial when their incarcerated partner, son, or friend comes home exhibiting signs of Post-Incarceration Syndrome. They might expect the person they once knew to return unscathed and unchanged. To acknowledge PICS is to admit that prison has fundamentally altered someone they love—and that’s a tough pill to swallow.

There’s also the weight of responsibility. If you admit that your loved one has PICS, you also admit that they need help, and providing that help—whether it’s emotional support, therapy, or simply patience—can feel overwhelming. So, many people choose denial. It’s easier to pretend everything’s fine than to face the truth that prison has lasting side effects.

4. The “They Did the Crime, They Deserve It” Mentality

One of the harshest realities about PICS is the lack of empathy many people feel for formerly incarcerated individuals. There’s a common sentiment in society that if someone went to prison, they deserve to suffer the consequences—even if those consequences extend far beyond their time served. This “they did the crime, they deserve it” mentality is one of the biggest reasons conversations around Post-Incarceration Syndrome are met with resistance.

Why should society care about the mental health of someone who broke the law? That’s the question many people ask themselves, and it reflects a deep-rooted lack of compassion for individuals who are, at the end of the day, still human beings. This mentality fosters a cycle of avoidance and silence around the topic of PICS.

5. Lack of Education and Awareness

Let’s face it—most people don’t even know what PICS is. Post-Incarceration Syndrome isn’t something you hear about on the news or in casual conversation. It’s not discussed in schools or taught as part of any mainstream mental health curriculum. If people don’t know something exists, they certainly won’t be talking about it.

There’s a significant lack of education about the psychological effects of incarceration, and until this gap is bridged, the avoidance will continue. Society needs more awareness campaigns, more conversations, more real-life stories about PICS, so that the dialogue can begin.

The Importance of Having the Conversation

We can’t keep running from this conversation. The reality is, the number of people affected by Post-Incarceration Syndrome is only growing as more individuals are released from prison each year. If we don’t start acknowledging and addressing the mental health challenges these individuals face, we’re setting them up for failure—and, in many cases, a return to the very system that caused the trauma in the first place.

1. Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism

One of the biggest reasons we need to talk about PICS is to break the cycle of recidivism. Individuals who are released from prison and are not provided with adequate mental health support are far more likely to end up back behind bars. The inability to cope with the outside world, the struggle to form healthy relationships, and the unaddressed trauma of incarceration all contribute to the likelihood of reoffending.

By addressing PICS head-on, we give formerly incarcerated individuals a fighting chance at reintegration. We provide them with the tools and support they need to heal and thrive, rather than pushing them back into a system that’s already failed them once.

2. Supporting Loved Ones

Talking about Post-Incarceration Syndrome isn’t just for the benefit of the individual who was incarcerated—it’s also for their loved ones. Family members, partners, and friends need to understand that the person returning from prison may not be the same as the person who left. Without this understanding, relationships will inevitably suffer, leading to isolation, resentment, and emotional breakdowns.

Having the conversation about PICS opens the door for empathy, patience, and support. It helps loved ones to see the bigger picture and gives them the knowledge they need to stand by their returning loved one through the tough adjustment period.

3. Creating a More Compassionate Society

Ultimately, acknowledging and discussing PICS is about building a more compassionate and empathetic society. It’s about recognizing that incarceration doesn’t just affect the person behind bars—it affects families, communities, and society as a whole. By bringing Post-Incarceration Syndrome into the light, we foster an environment of understanding and acceptance for those who have served their time and are now trying to find their place in the world.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Stop Running

Post-incarceration syndrome is not going away. The more we avoid talking about it, the longer we allow it to fester in the shadows, affecting lives in silence. It’s time to stop running from the conversation. We need to face the reality that prison leaves scars—deep, unseen scars—and that these scars don’t just disappear when someone is released.

We owe it to the individuals returning home, to their families, and to ourselves to start talking openly about PICS. Only then can we begin the process of healing, both individually and as a society.