NOW THAT'S NOT FUNNY

How much has life changed in 18 years?

DNA clears Texas man of rape conviction after 18 years in prison

http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap03-21-052000.asp?t=APNEW

Gregory Wallis, now 47, will soon find out.

Wallis was convicted in 1988 and sent to prison when he was only 29-years-old. He has served 18 years of a 50 year sentence for a crime he didn't commit.

I can't hardly think of anything more horrible.

Surely he proclaimed his innocence, and in the end it didn't matter - he was convicted.

I'm thinking now about how well he is going to readjust to living FREE. How much has the world changed since he entered prison, and how well is he now equipped to deal with his new freedom.

Sure he's entitled to $250,000 for his wrongly incarceration - but money isn't everything. If he does not get adaquate counseling, I fear for his chances of success.

What about his family? Does he have family, and how well have they faired since his going to prison? He will certainlly need financial counseling. I'm sure after 18 years in prison, $250,000 sounds like a lot of money, but if he's not careful - he'll find himself in a real bind.

Eighteen years - NO employment history, NO credit history, and what about the obvious - How long has it been since he had a serious relationship with anyone outside of other prison inmates and guards...

In this day and time it is nearly impossible to rent a decent apartment without a decent job and credit history. I hope that the people who helped prove his innocence help him readjust to living in today's society.

I still think he's better off free, but... what a mess!