A recently released man describes his first months back outside prison: trying to stay sober, reconnect with family, and rebuild after theft of his belongings and ID. He came to Denver to be closer to his adult daughter (who’s pregnant), has worked as a cook for decades, and is navigating shelters, lost paperwork, and the stress of sleeping in public spaces.
He explains a long history with drugs and crime, the turning points after his wife’s illness and death, and the spiritual change he found in prison that’s helping him try to stay straight. Practically, he needs identification, a phone to contact his daughter, and steady work to support his family and avoid relapse.
