I worked at a greyhound just under 2 decades ago. Met a former inmate who was just released that day. Told me they gave him a bus ticket to the city of his choice. He was 21, I think he was there since 18.

It was very obvious that institutionalizing had damaged his executive function. Dude had no clue what to do, no direction. Clearly had forgotten how to have autonomy.

He said he had no friends/family and picked the town cuz he'd been there once as a child and had good memories.