Not Much of a Choice

"I'd rather go back to prison than go back to my country," a twenty-three year old Ethiopian lamented. "At least I know how to survive."

Why would going back to prison be a better option for that young man?

Well, he left Ethiopia when he was two years old; he doesn't have any memory of that country; he doesn't have any relatives there; he doesn't know the language and culture; he doesn't have any marketable skills; the only family member he has is his mother.

What option does he have?