With over 2 million people incarcerated in the United States, more than any nation in the world, I think its time for a change. I think it's time that we understand that the majority of those that are locked up will one day be free and LIVING AMONG US. I think its about time that we not only work on programs that will help them after release, but before release. We need to start programs that will get family members and friends involved. We need to start programs that are devoted to forming bonds with inmates and their families. Why don't these prisons have family day? Why don't these facilities have counseling sessions that INCLUDE families? GET THE FAMILIES INVOLVED! We know for certaain that the inmate who has strong ties to their family and friends, are less likely to recidivate. Do you know what that means? If there is no crime, there are no victims. And if something as small as prison officials and politicians working with families to develop stong bonds and ties to society could help a little, wouldn't it be worth it?
When will we as a society take seriously that crime has a root problem. And until the root problem is dealt with, we will always be a nation that incarerate their people. I would like to see more programs that involve families BEFORE release.
Where is the Forgiveness
I agree. What happened to forgiving and forgetting. My husband was in trouble in his early 20's (49 now) It is sad that this loving, kind and gentle man has not been forgiven for that action from his younger years. He is a highly respected owner of a business. He loves to go hunting in which he still does but very carefully. He buys his hunting license to be legal. He knows the cost if he gets caught. But feels it is his right to teach his son to hunt and to hunt himself. I feel if he paid the price and if he has not been in any additional trouble for 5 years after completing his sentence that he should have his rights as a citizen restored to him (and his record marked clean )with out question and with out a bunch of Red Tape. I mean gosh if he were "Not Reformed" he would still be in trouble with the law and tax payers would be supporting him so why not have a Forgiveness Law to those who have not been in trouble after completing the Five years. So why not give him back his rights or anyone that has paid for what they did and not gotton in any further trouble. I just do not understand American why are we so hard on people, why does our system cause it to be even harder once they have paid the price for what did? And why do we lock up and give records to those that smoke a little MJ. It seems that there are more in the jails from low quanity of MJ Possession than from other types of crimes. Wishing I could reform our laws on several issues since we have a Very UNFORGIVING City, State and Federal system.
Employment
I think when an inmate starts college while in prison, is released and continues with college, graduates with an Economic Degree and seeks work they should be given the opportunity to seek employment in their field of hard work. My family member had our help and support. He was always told by us that education was the only way to achieve "The American Dream". After graduation he he sought employment, was offered employment until it came time for the question of have you ever comitted a felony. The answer now is yes quite a few years ago "BEFORE" going to college and working hard to earn my degree. No everyone getting out has comitted a a murder or are a pedofile. All they want is a job! Since corporate America mostly uses the internet to post jobs when the employee marks the box about having a felony I am sure that resume is stuck in "File 13" without consideration.
I can not believe that society has become so vain as not to believe that everyone has done something in their life that they wish they had not done.
I think that we need to re-invent the applications that used to ask have you committed a felony within the last 5 years not last lifetime.
I have offered a public official my services to help these men and women for by talking with employers about this serious problem and make them aware people can change and so can corporate America. I offered my time "Free of Charge" but have yet to get a response from that state official and that has also assisted in making a decision on how I will vote come November.
The "Second Chance" campaign needs to start here!
Good Example
I love this point. You as a family helped your love one. He now (supposedly) has the advantage and goals to do something better. It is incredibly unfortunate, that he didn't get that job. You are So correct! I wonder what we would do if all of our dirty laundry was aired out for the world to see. Quite frankly, most of us don't care about these issues until our "Little Billy" or "Little Sally" is facing a judge. Remember that young boy years ago that received a caining in Singapore for graffti? Hit home didn't it? And you made an excellent point: MURDERES AND CHILD MOLESTERS ARE THE MINORITY IN PRISON. BUT THE PUBLIC'S IGNORANCE ABOUT THIS POINT LEADS THEM TO BELIEVE THAT INCARCERATION= MURDER OR CHILD MOLESTER. Did you know that you can do time in PRISON for habitually driving on a suspended license? Now there is a monster!
With this being a year to
With this being a year to vote for the President and a replacement for Senator Warner I think it is a good idea for Virginia to readdress the issue of inmates being given their immediate rights back after completing their time given by the judge.
excellent point! and I
excellent point! and I agree 100%
Criminal Justice Reform
I agree whole heartedly. Not only should programs be developed with family/friend bonds, there should be programs to assist with job placement once they are back and living among us!
Criminal Justice Reform
I'm adding some additional information on my agreement! I AM STILL IN AGREEMENT WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID!
My husband was incarcerated and released before we met and married. However, as a result of his conviction, job opportunities have been slim and far between. This year alone, he has been unemployed for 6 months out of the 9 that have been completed. But because I make too much money (which is odd to me, because I can't pay all of the household expenses!) we can't receive assistance from any of the programs.
I'm telling you all this information because I do feel that there needs to be a change in both the rules for probation and assistance once they are released. My husband has an AS in Business Management and Accounting that is going to waste because he can't get employment. All I'm asking is that society be more forgiving than what they are! Not all who end up in the system are terrible people, some just made mistakes.
Thank You
Thank you for understnding what I am trying to say here. I am really looking for a team of people that can help come up with ideas for these type of programs. I just really feel it is important. Not only do I have a close personal family member who is incarcerated, but I was a victim of a crime a few years ago. I can see this from both sides. I would love to talk to people who can help come up with ideas on how to develop programs for those who are incarcerated and their family/friends.