Sobreviví 32 años en máxima seguridad, hoy estoy libre | Nucamendi #Penitencia #entrevista #México
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Evaristo Nucamendi Barradas was released after 38 years in prison, 32 of which were in maximum security facilities.
- ❖He first escaped Barrientos prison in 1988 at age 21 and again in 1995, leading to his long tenure in high-security modules.
- ❖Nucamendi plans to find his parents' graves, locate his daughter (who was 6 months old when he was first imprisoned), and pursue a career in law.
- ❖He describes prison as 'espantosa' (horrifying) and credits the experience with 'scaring him straight' from a life of crime.
- ❖Despite the terror, he found opportunities for positive competition and academic/labor development within the prison system.
- ❖Nucamendi is overwhelmed by the changes in society (e.g., technology, infrastructure) and feels uncertain about navigating the outside world.
- ❖He emphasizes the profound value of basic human experiences like eating with others, watching television, and simply being free, which are often taken for granted.
Insights
1The Profound Loss of Individuality and Sovereignty in Prison
Nucamendi emphasizes that one of the most terrible aspects of prison is the complete loss of individual sovereignty and being 'supeditado a las voluntades ajenas' (subordinated to others' wills). This extends even to minor expressions like smiling or making comments, depending on the mood of guards. This constant subjugation erodes one's sense of self and agency.
“Que el perder la soberanía e individualidad es terrible. Es terrible estar supeditado a las voluntades ajenas... un PPL no tiene derecho ni siquiera de poder sonreír, no tiene derecho ni siquiera de poder este hacer un un comentario x o y cuando el oficial... está de mal humor.”
2Prison as a Source of Both Terror and Unexpected Opportunities for Growth
While Nucamendi describes prison as 'espantosa' (horrifying) due to witnessing suicides, madness, and deaths, he also acknowledges that it offered opportunities. He highlights academic and labor programs, fostering positive competition among inmates to create art or write, leading to continuous self-improvement and a sense of purpose.
“La cárcel me enseñó a vivir un terror espantoso en cuanto a lo que se pierde. Vi yo mucha gente que se suicidó, vi mucha gente que se volvió loca de las drogas... Pero también, cuando uno ve la cuestión desde un punto de vista positivo, uno aprende más... uno aprende a competir con los demás en cuanto a a los progresos.”
3The Overwhelming Uncertainty of Reintegration into a Transformed Society
After 38 years, Nucamendi faces a world drastically changed by technology and infrastructure, which he does not understand. This creates immense uncertainty and fear about navigating daily life, interacting with people, and pursuing his positive projects, despite his strong will to succeed.
“No miedo. Tengo mucha incertidumbre. Es lo que tengo es incertidumbre durísima porque por lo que me platicaban mis padres, por lo que me platicó usted hace ratito, que es que no voy a conocer lo que es la sociedad. Yo era pata de perro... y hoy me dice que me voy a perder, no voy a entender, no voy a conocer y eso me da miedo.”
Bottom Line
Nucamendi's aspiration to work *within* the penitentiary system after his release, to prove that social reintegration is possible.
This reveals a profound commitment to systemic change and a desire to leverage his unique, lived experience to impact the very institution that confined him. It's a powerful statement against the cycle of recidivism.
Organizations focused on prison reform or reintegration could explore programs that integrate former inmates with extensive experience, like Nucamendi, into advisory or educational roles within the system, offering a unique perspective to both staff and current inmates.
Key Concepts
The 'Espantado' Effect (Scared Straight)
Nucamendi describes himself as 'espantado' (scared/terrified) by the experience of long-term incarceration. This terror, rather than traditional rehabilitation, is his primary motivator to never return to prison. It suggests that for some, the sheer horror and loss associated with severe punishment can be a powerful deterrent.
Revaluation of Minimum Essentials
After decades in prison, Nucamendi learned to find happiness and fulfillment in the 'minimum essential' things—basic hygiene, communal meals, watching television. This model highlights how extreme deprivation can lead to a profound revaluation of what constitutes a 'good life,' contrasting sharply with societal norms of constant acquisition and stimulation.
Lessons
- Reflect on and appreciate the 'minimum essential' aspects of daily life—communal meals, access to information, personal freedom—as Nucamendi's story highlights their profound value when lost.
- Consider the 'espantado' effect as a powerful, albeit harsh, form of deterrence for criminal behavior, recognizing that the terror of incarceration can be a strong motivator for not re-offending.
- Support initiatives for social reintegration and second chances, understanding that individuals with extensive incarceration histories, like Nucamendi, can emerge with a strong will to contribute positively to society, despite immense challenges.
Notable Moments
The official declaration of Nucamendi's freedom after 33 years and 6 months of imprisonment, marking the end of a nearly four-decade-long ordeal.
This moment signifies the culmination of his long sentence and the beginning of his new, free life, setting the stage for the entire narrative of his re-entry.
Nucamendi's address to other inmates, urging them to maintain positivity, health, and faith in the future, presenting himself as living proof that freedom is attainable.
This moment underscores his transformation and his commitment to being a beacon of hope for others still incarcerated, reinforcing the podcast's theme of rehabilitation and second chances.
His emotional reaction upon stepping out into the street, marveling at cars, bridges, and everyday scenes like people in line at a tortillería.
This vividly illustrates the profound disconnect between the incarcerated and the outside world, and the overwhelming sensory experience of re-encountering simple aspects of modern life after decades of deprivation.
Quotes
"Yo no me aunque estoy en población, no me interesa ya portarme mal. Ya ya comprogar mi sentencia. De hecho, ya ya me ya me pasé."
"Tengo tres cosas, tres misiones importantes que hacer. Encontrar a mis padres, encontrar sus tumbas y honrarlos. La segunda, buscar a mi hija y no sé, a lo mejor voy a hacer una carga para ella, no sé, no quiero llegar como una carga, quiero mejor litigar y ya que esté yo bien económicamente hablando, o sea, no bien, sino más bien estable, voy a buscarlo y sea su amigo."
"La prisión en sí es espantosa. Entonces una cuestión como esta es horrible. Y como tal, el hecho de volver a tener la oportunidad de salir libre para no regresar acá, más que reinserción, llamémosle, estoy espantado, ya no ya no me portaría mal para regresar esto."
"El día de mañana vas a ser tú. Nadie se queda aquí, ¿eh? Eso sí se los digo. Entonces, ánimo, muchachos. Yo sé que aquí entre sentenciados luego está el pesimismo y pensando que no hay oportunidades. Tú dime si no. Sí. Lo importante, compañeros, es que vean las cosas con positivismo y lo más que puedan procuren ser sanos, hagan deporte y tengan confianza en el porvenir. Se logra, se puede. Yo soy la yo soy la prueba de ello."
"No mires hacia atrás de este lugar. Y como lo platicamos ahí adentro, eres otra persona. Claro que sí. Ya no soy lo el mismo el hombre. que que entró a ese sitio murió, salió uno nuevo y uno lleno de motivación, entusiasmo y positivismo, sobre todo positivismo."
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