Counting Days Inside

Two prisoners were sitting in their cell, staring at the wall where someone had scratched tally marks for each day served.

The new inmate sighed.

Man… I got ten years. I’ve been counting every single day.

The older inmate nodded calmly.

Yeah, I used to do that too.

Used to? the new guy asked.

What changed?

The older inmate leaned back on his bunk.

Well, after a while, I stopped counting days.

The new guy looked confused.

Then what do you count?

The older inmate pointed at the wall.

Weeks.

The new guy stared at him.

That’s not much better.

The older inmate shrugged.

Nah… then I switched again.

To what?

The older inmate smiled.

Paroles.

The new guy blinked.

You mean hearings?

The older inmate nodded.

Yeah… a lot fewer marks on the wall.