Despite whatever contradictions you sense, you would probably be best served assuming that no one is directly lying to you -- unless it is through their own ignorance.

If you don't know how you got here, then your best bet is that you're an Inmate. Most that are Inmates died before coming here, or were close to it. Normally your soul would go wherever souls go in your reality. This is something of an alternative. Complete your time here and you can go back, no questions asked, and perhaps even with a few extra perks in tow.