What can be best describe as the Prison Penalty this article is about how our society , our neighbors make it very hard for formerly incarcerated individuals return to society without a massive stigma. Prisons run a annual cost of 80 billion for the United States. Considering we are leading the world in incarceration of its people. Everyday approximately ten thousand inmates are released daily and 650,000 annually. Two thirds of those released annually are unfortunately rearrested and return to prison within three years. Why is this? How is this possible? What challenges do felons face? Economic considerations , employment concerns , housing restrictions , denial of social programs for those who qualified prior to incarceration now are disqualified mostly due to violent or drug related crimes and sex crimes.
The U.S. Department of housing and urban development have exclusionary policies that restrict certain felons more so today than days of old. Even though this violates the Fair Housing Act. Many landlords and municipal governments are encouraged to still have restrictions and deny felons residence.
Employment for felons is a very difficult aspect also. Employers have an easier way of screening would be applicants today with the assistance of Google and social media. It allows instant information on a persons past and whether they were incarcerated in the past and for what. There was a campaign that was popular during the presidency of President Obama called " Ban the box ". This was a effort to remove the box next to the question " Were you formerly arrested or convicted of a felony? " If a person was they would check the box. Removing this " box " was a attempt to give those with a criminal record and made bad decisions in their past , have a fresh second chance. Some opponents of this campaign said this posed a security risk for the work force and the general public. I.e. You wouldn't want Hannibal Lector serving Sushi. The employer upon hiring the felon accepts the responsibility of that felon's actions. It also has been noted that most businesses who have hired felons find that they outperform the employee's that were not ever incarcerated.
A study conducted by the Center of American Progress https://www.americanprogress.org/ found one in three Americans have a criminal record. Such a frightening statistic shows us the sobering reality that half of the children in America have at least one parent with a criminal record. The United States leads the world concerning a nation with the highest percentage of its population incarcerated. Modern media define this as " Mass Incarceration " or " For Profit Prison ". https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/ We are suppose to be the Land of the free. " Give me liberty or give me death " Patrick Henry March 23rd 1775. During the Second Virginia convention at Saint Johns Church. Our founding fathers have to be flipping in their graves seeing how our nation has destroyed our citizens liberties. Whether if your African American , Native American , White , Chinese etc. This stigma is shared among all nationalities. People are not perfect in the good Lord's eyes so we are prone to make mistakes in life.
Do you have that neighborhood watchdog? That patrols the neighborhood and snoops and regulates everyone's yards? https://noblepig.com/2008/04/are-you-being-watched-by-your-neighbors/ This happens in many communities throughout America. More so in environments where there are more retiree's than not. These are those who make it very clear who has a criminal record or not. They further the stigma against felons and hold the " Holier than thou " mindset. We all know they are not but that doesn't stop them from appearing proactive to be securing the area like some desperate security guard. Many times those who were formerly incarcerated , rehabilitated and received their Civil Rights have some promising ground to stand on. You have the right to privacy. Freedom of speech , press , expression , religion , assembly and petition https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/ .
In conclusion those who are felons and released back into the world seem to have the cards stacked against them more than ever. They need to be very positive and not allow the restrictions snowball into a monster snowstorm. Seek education and continue education till the day the good Lord takes you. Education is key to success. It opens many doors that would never have been opened otherwise. Even if you don't have your high school diploma or GED. There are programs in your community that do not discriminate against anyone. If someone ever tells you no , go at it in a different direction. And to your best ability don't listen to the noise and the haters. They were not part of your sentencing. Don't give them the platform to hate or put that stigma on you that holds you back.
Here are some local options for those who need that step up.
https://www.library.pima.gov/content/high-school-equivalency-ged-information/
https://www.goodwillsouthernaz.org/adult-re-entry-program/
https://www.secondchancetucson.org/about-us
https://www.arizonaatwork.com/
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