Posted inArt & Illustrations

Anger, Anxiety and Other Demons Prison Won’t Let Us Purge

Emotions are a sign of weakness in prison — so instead we hold them in. But for how long?

by Kallisto Pro June 21, 2023June 15, 2023

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Anger, Anxiety and Other Demons Prison Won’t Let Us Purge

by Kallisto Pro, Prison Journalism Project
June 21, 2023

<h1>Anger, Anxiety and Other Demons Prison Won’t Let Us Purge</h1>
<p class="byline">by Kallisto Pro, Prison Journalism Project <br />June 21, 2023</p>
 
<p>This illustration shows two metaphorical demons: anxiety and anger.</p>
<p>I was arrested at 18, completely blindsided by the fact I was facing real prison time before I had the chance to really experience life and the responsibilities that come with being an adult.</p>
<p>Each day, I look into a mirror with a straight face because emotions are a form of weakness in prison. Through my mind’s eye, I can only see myself as what’s depicted in this drawing.</p>
<p>Anger and anxiety can cause the heart to beat harder, faster. Breathing quickens. The jaw clenches. Storing your emotions becomes harder and harder the more anxious you get.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This drawing is an example of compressed energy that has nowhere to go. Eventually, it will all explode.</p>


 <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2023/06/21/in-prison-you-must-hide-your-emotions/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://prisonjournalismproject.org">Prison Journalism Project</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/prisonjournalismproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-PJP-favicon-2.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://prisonjournalismproject.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=30002" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>

Self portrait of man with open mouth and clenched fists — Illustration by Kallisto Pro

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This illustration shows two metaphorical demons: anxiety and anger.

I was arrested at 18, completely blindsided by the fact I was facing real prison time before I had the chance to really experience life and the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

Each day, I look into a mirror with a straight face because emotions are a form of weakness in prison. Through my mind’s eye, I can only see myself as what’s depicted in this drawing.

Anger and anxiety can cause the heart to beat harder, faster. Breathing quickens. The jaw clenches. Storing your emotions becomes harder and harder the more anxious you get.

This drawing is an example of compressed energy that has nowhere to go. Eventually, it will all explode.

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Kallisto Pro

Kallisto Pro is an artist incarcerated in Arizona. He uses a pseudonym.

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