Recidivism: Are Parolees really given a Fair Chance or Does Society close its Do

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   vamenascoposted 12 years ago

   Recidivism: Are Parolees really given a Fair Chance or Does Society close its Doors for Success?
   
   It is safe to say Recidivism rates are increasing each year in some states- particularly those in the South, than in other states. Almost always, when an employer sees a potential candidate does not have a clean background, the opportunity to land a job is automatically lost. Society tends to close its doors to possible success from those who want to turn their lives around to make things right, by earning a living- the honest way. So, many are sent back to prison because "The Outside" doesn't give them the chance to survive. Do you agree Society plays a part in Recidivism? Is this right?

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   sherrituckposted 12 years ago

   Society plays a huge role in the success or failure of parolees.  First of all, there is the stigma that society attaches to parolees.  The stigma is very dangerous in that it follows the individual throughout his or her life.  Secondly, parolees are fighting a tough battle once they are released. Being able to make it outside the prison walls depends on the type of support the individual receives.  For example, my city does not have any type of shelter or programs to help individuals make the trasition from prison back into society.  Many parolees are released with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  With no place to stay and no hope of finding a job, will only be a matter of time before these individuals are back to their former ways of life.  However, this regression occurs not because the individual is bad but because the individual must find a way to survive.

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3. 78

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   In another life, I ran a small manufacturing plant. For a few years I tried to give former inmates a hand up by hiring them. Out of twenty or so attempts, only one worked out. All the rest were behavioral recidivists. I had to fire every one of them for problems from theft to assault to drug dealing. In the end I stopped hiring people with records.
   
   There is a reason for that unwritten rule. It is that rehabilitation programs don't work. First, resolve that issue, then come back to employers to suggest again that they try. They want to. They're human beings with all the motives of others, including for many a wish to help those in need. Their ability to do it, however, is destroyed by a system of justice that fails in its attempt to turn criminals into people who even want to turn their lives around. That is the underlying problem, and until it is answered effectively nothing can change.

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      cfinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      my response wont fit. I understand what you mean and I believe you misconstrued me. The committee would simply give an opinion. Nothing more.

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   Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

   I can speak from experience.  It seems that those individuals that serve short prison sentences (5 years or less) tend to go right back to the same activities.  An individual that has served more than ten years however is usually prepared to lead a solid life. 
   
   It is based on age as well, the younger the offender, the more chance there will be issues.  Some of the most law abiding and successful people I know have served 10 - 20 in their life before coming to the realization that life outside the walls is beautiful. 
   
   The younger guys and girls seem to not care if they live inside or outside the walls.  For many of these individuals there are as many friends inside as outside, family as well in many cases.
   
   Living in one of the top twenty most violent communities in the United States, we have a lot of our citizens in and out of correctional facilities.  Many of them do find difficulty attaining employment, especially when around 20 percent of our population is unemployed.  Many of the younger people have children as well, so to acquire food and lodging they will do what is necessary. 
   
   Not only does society play a part, the economy is a huge issue for those coming out of detention.  It is difficult to compete with others that have a work background instead of a prison record.

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5. 61

   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   An excellent question to pose, vamenesco, and one that has numerous & complex responses.  This issue is one of many that needs serious focus and evaluation by our prison/parole system. 
   While Society plays a major role in some of the overall experiences a parolee deals with, the main crux of "making it on the outside," is left to the parolee him/her self.
   It is somewhat unrealistic for the System, that does so little in terms of rehabilitation, to release an inmate into the environment from which they came, with little but a set of strict rules to follow and not much more.  Inmates have served time for crimes committed and while this is considered in a dubious way, that they have "paid their debt to Society," this is not readily accepted by Society, as enough to make a constructive difference in the individual him/her self.   (Because a thief was apprehended and forced to "pay his debt," by law enforcement and the legal system, does not make an honest, reformed thief, ....is the general consensus of opinion.)  It can hardly be expected of a Society to be blind or careless in their views of a parolee, without much more knowledge and understanding of each individual situation.  Herein lies the greatest hurdle. 
   It seems I have just stumbled upon a question that, to do justice to, requires a hub.  Coming soon...............

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6. 63

   cfinposted 12 years ago

   Unfortunately, this is also part of the punishment. A stretch in prison does not end the day you leave. It will follow that person for their entire life. In some societies, incarceration is seen as a form of rehabilitation. I agree that there should be positions within which, a former inmate can turn their life around. Unfortunately, in other cultures, they do not stand a chance.
   
   There is no black or white. It will always be objective. The grey area and the outcome should depend on the individual. A committee should determine whether the individual is fit for a pardon, and whether the offense should be on their record for all positions, some positions, or positions relevant to their offense.

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      As an employer, I wouldn't have wanted a government committee deciding who I could hire or what facts I could consider when choosing an employee. The results of that would be disastrous.

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      cfinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think you understand what I mean. I simply mean that the committee would deem the individual to be employable or not. A background check is what is on a record. Also government information. Instead, the background check would show whether the

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   sam1985posted 12 years ago

   I can really speak from experience, I have been to prison 3 different times in my life with very little time in between each visit. I spent a little over seven years in the Arkansas penal system from the age of 17-24. I will say that everytime that I got out of prison and even this time it has been very hard to find a job in this economy. I will say though I have held some jobs where my employer did give me a chance regardless of my criminal background. In a lot of cases though employers have hired ex-cons trying to give them a chance and those people mess up time after time and it makes it hard on those of us that have done time and are now on the straight and narrow..I know for me I got out of prison August 31,2009 and I have not seen the inside of a cell of any kind since, so the only thing that I can say is there are those of us who have done hard time that are trying to do the right thing. So if you are a employer just try to remember that just because someone has a criminal background dont be so quick to judge because of it. We have families to take care of and bills to pay too. We are just normal people, the only difference is some of us got caught and some of didnt because I will almost bet my life that everyone in this world has done something they could have gone to jail or prison for..Like I said, just dont be so quick to judge people because of their past. We did the crime, and also did the time to pay our debt to society. Isnt that enough punishment?

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      vamenascoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      sam1985, thank you so much for your comment and sharing your life experience related to this topic. I appreciate your transparency and only hope your message can open many eyes and hearts to create humility in a world where no one is flawless.

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