We all agree that jail is a horrible place. Not even repeat offenders who are hardened criminals enjoy going there. Being denied your freedom is a frightening and depressing experience. It’s easy to picture the relief one feels after realizing they were only dreaming about being in jail, and that they can continue living their everyday lives.
But what makes you dream of jail if you’ve never been there? Is this a bad omen that you will end up there? Keep reading to see what such a dream might signify.
Meaning of dreams of going to jail
Dreaming about being locked up alludes to the mental restraint you are now experiencing. Over the last few years, we’ve felt a lot more constrained. The circumstances were hard, but we had to adapt if we wanted to keep our inner peace.
But it’s common that situations like this put a toll on our mental health because we are social creatures. And even if we don’t fully realize it, our subconscious mind does – our feelings of captivity and liability come to the surface in the form of jail dreams.
As an alternative, having a dream about being locked up might represent emotions of remorse, wrongdoing, or significant life disappointments. It can have a connection to your personal life, your financial life, or your job. You may feel betrayed, omitted, or simply forgotten.
Maybe you believe that someone is preventing your development. Maybe the people around you are keeping you from fully reaching your potential. And no matter how the circumstances differ or how the jail dream meaning applies to your life, it’s clear that you need to make a few adjustments.
1. You are very easy to influence
Do you frequently find yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable simply because you didn’t know how to decline in the first place? Or do you accept giving up things simply to make others happy?
If you dream that you are in prison, it may be a sign that you are letting the circumstances around you easily determine what you do too. As symbolized by the jail in your dream, you are constrained by social norms and customs. But this will never bring you happiness, no matter how much you want others’ validation.
You need to liberate yourself and live life the way you want to, without restricting yourself. You can never please everyone, so do what you believe is right, but also listen to what your soul wants.
2. You are afraid of commitment
Do you fear being attached to someone or something in real life? Dreams of being locked up may also represent the dread of commitment. Like everyone else, you could seek closeness, but you might also be hesitant to expose your true self completely. And just like you hate restrictive situations, your dream shows a similar situation, being stuck in jail.
You need to stop adding restrictions to yourself and your emotions. This will never solve your problems, but only deepen them by hiding them in your soul. Someone out there perfect for you will show you a new perspective on life, a boyfriend or a girlfriend that will help you grow and better yourself.
3. You feel isolated
A dream of jail could mean you have been feeling excluded lately, stuck in your routine, or forgotten by your colleagues, spouse, or family members. Maybe you feel like everyone around you seems to be having a great time while you always end up working, or they just understand you.
But it doesn’t have to be this way and drown in your sorrows. You have the power to change your situation. How we view the world is the only thing that keeps us imprisoned. Are you fed up with being excluded from fun activities? Take charge and engage in rewarding activities, even by yourself.
Try to talk to people on a deeper level, because you will understand most of them to have the same fears and worries as you. Think about and determine whether your worries or anxieties are justified.
4. You are stuck in life
The dreamer’s inertia in life may also be a reflection of being in jail. An obstacle may be preventing you from realizing all of your capabilities. In this dream scenario, the police might be a metaphor for your boss.
Your spiritual guides are letting you know that you have the ability to alter your destiny at any time if you have this dream. Only you have the power actually to keep you down. It serves no use to keep opting for a life that just brings you unhappiness. It’s time to venture into new territory and try something new.
5. Suppressed Feelings
Dreams of seeing you imprisoned may also be a reflection of all the feelings you have concealed in the past. Feelings like rage, humiliation, guilt, or resentment build up and can make you snap at any moment. Maybe your family never let you show your genuine emotions or you’ve been taught that crying is a sign of weakness.
No matter what, remember that our feelings are what makes us humans, and embracing them is the only way to have a healthy mindset.
Maybe you go across situations in life where you have no choice but to maintain your composure. If so, the moment to be courageous and true to yourself is now. The universe urges you to completely process your feelings so you may move on and get rid of these mental responsibilities.
Different jail dream scenarios and their meaning
What happens now that you have been convicted in a dream? When you are arrested, you may go to trial or be taken straight to jail. This issue may reflect feeling “judged” and put on trial for your behavior in real life.
1. Being found guilty in front of a judge
The significance of this dream is dependent upon how you felt when you were found guilty. Do you accept your judgment and agree you deserve it? Or do you think you did nothing and this isn’t right?
If you believe the conviction to be fair, you probably feel bad about anything you did or said. Maybe you betrayed someone close to you to whom you made a promise. Or you broke the heart of a friend. If this is the case, try to find that person and apologize. If they already forgave you, maybe it’s time to forgive yourself and let go of the feelings of guilt.
But if you think someone set you up and your dream is slowly turning into a nightmare, this might be a sign of anxiety in your waking life. Maybe someone is not treating you fairly and is causing you complications.
Maybe your superiors are making difference at work. Your subconscious mind is telling you how this harms you a lot, even though you probably don’t show a clue in real life. You need to find a way to end it because living life like you’re punished in a jail cell will only drag you down.
2. Being in a jail cell
If you find yourself in a jail cell, it means you have let others walk all over you. This will eventually leave you feeling powerless and angry, mostly at yourself.
Maybe you have let the dark thoughts dominate you, and now you suffer the consequences for it. But it’s never too late to change.
Your rage and resentment can imprison you, so it’s time for you to focus your energy on what makes you happy and on your inner healing.
3. Escaping prison
Escaping out of jail, especially when you feel like you have been wrongly convicted, shows you can overcome your obstacles thanks to your diligence and upbeat personality.
This dream suggests that you are in a challenging situation and are frantically searching for a solution. If you are committed, you can get out of your dilemma. All you need to do is believe in yourself. There are people around you who can help you, all you need to do is ask. Even though you can do things on your own, it’s important to know you aren’t alone in your battles.
Conclusion
Dreaming about going to jail is a sign that you feel constrained by your surroundings. You can be trapped because of your own restricting ideas, mean people in your life, or a specific situation. This dream serves as a wake-up call for you to take action to improve your circumstances and achieve true freedom.
Consider the characteristics of your dream, how you were feeling when you had the dream, and how it could be related to your current situation. Once you figure it all out, learn what to do in order to start improving your life and becoming a better version of yourself.
