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Bobby Bostic (44) had to serve 27 years in prison in the American state of Missouri. It finally came out on November 8, 2022. He is now a free man. Since 1995, when he was in prison, the world outside the prison walls has changed a lot. He spoke to the “BBC” about things that particularly surprised him.
1
Wireless headphones
In freedom, he suddenly saw people talking to themselves. And he didn’t understand what it was all about. “Why is everyone talking to themselves?” Bostic wondered. Until he found out that there are now wireless headphones. He just hadn’t seen the little plugs in people’s ears, which he thought seemed to be talking to themselves.
2
Voice assistant Alexa
Bostic not only saw people talking to themselves, but also witnessed people talking to their speakers. What he didn’t know: people were talking to Alexa, the virtual language assistant.
3
Automatic taps
A wipe is enough and the water in the toilet will run out of the faucet in the sink or the door will open. This technique also applies to drinks. But Bostic didn’t know this. “You wave your hand and the water comes out?” he marveled when he saw it for the first time.
4
How nice people can be
B. still can’t believe how nice strangers are to each other. He was only used to angry looks and threats from prison. It was all the nicer for him to meet so much warmth in freedom. It warms his heart when he walks into a store and someone asks him: “How can I help you?”. Smiling people bring great joy to the former prisoner.
Sentenced to life imprisonment at age 16
It is a miracle that Bostic is ever released: he was sentenced to 241 years in prison during his trial. Bostic was then 16 years old. Drunk and stoned, he had committed a robbery with a friend. One of many crimes.
He was individually convicted of 17 crimes, including auto theft, and ended up serving 241 years — without parole. Even the judge who sentenced him campaigned for his release. “Bobby was a 16-year-old kid that I treated like a full grown adult, which was wrong,” she said in 2018.
However, a law change helped him back to freedom. Young people sentenced to long prison terms now have the option of a probationary period – also afterwards. (lia)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
