I’ve often wondered about whether or not it’s possible to start over after being in prison for a long time. If someone comes out of prison with no money, few job prospects, and no one to turn to except people associated with the previous life of crime, what kind of chance does that person have to do something new?

I once imagined a system where people would kind of “adopt” a post-prison person into their home, offering them stable emotional support, financial support, and information resources for looking for jobs and making new connections. I’ve learned that some people actually do this. Not surprisingly, their neighbors often strongly object to this practice. Here’s a story about one family who took in a former criminal and are now facing threats from their neighbors.

I have such a hard time with the idea that once someone has done something - even something horrible - we must write them off forever. If we aren’t willing to offer a little support - even the basic “support” of just leaving them alone - should we really be all that surprised that post-prison people return to their pre-prison behaviors? If someone is unable to live anywhere and unable to earn money legally, they’re not left a lot of options, are they?

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