[ClearCase_guy]

I didn't see the episode -- but is there any chance this was an echo of Jacob Marley -- "I wear the chains I forged in life"?
Jesse lived an irresponsible life, didn't apply himself, and boxed himself in to an existence with few options. He ended up a meth cook slave, and pretty much did that himself through free will and bad choices.

[RinaseaofDs]

You nailed it, I think. I talked myself into the same conclusion a moment after you posted.

[dead]

"I wear the chains I forged in life"

I was watching the show last night with my teenaged son, and that was the exact quote I said as Jesse dragged his chains across the yard from his prison pit to the meeting with Jack and Walt.