Have we given up on the idea of redemption / rehabilitation / reform?

[Junkdrawer]

This thread has me thinking....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022816651

Are prisons now just for punishment and exploitation? Do we prohibit from political life anyone with a flaw in their past? Should anyone with "something to hide" ( read everyone - except for me and my monkey of course ) avoid "getting involved" lest their shameful past be exposed?

Is it something we threw out with the Religious bathwater? Because if it is, I submit we've thrown out too much.

[zbdent]

1. Repugs "forgive" a fornicator/cheater who used taxpayer dollars to do so less than a year after

his "indiscretions" (AND one who voted to convict another "horndog&quot ...

but a 10 year old police record is dug up on a guy who helped rescue three women in Cleveland. I'm surprised they haven't dug up dirt on the "first responders" who died fighting the fire in Texas ...

[Junkdrawer]

3. Someone on the referenced thread brought up racism....

While I sort of dismissed it as a motive, your example does tend to have me rethink the point.

[Junkdrawer]

2. Just kicked it around the dinner table...

My boy said: "Reform costs money. With privatized prisons, it's all about how many can be imprisoned, how securely, for how cheap."

He's right, of course.

[Luminous Animal]

4. I am always saddened by the number of DUers who advocate for rape and torture in U.S. prisons.

Every time a horrible crime is reported, people gleefully suggest the perp be raped in prison or kept in solitary for the rest of his/her life.

[Junkdrawer]

5. It's no secret that I'm a recovering drunk....

I've seen some pretty remarkable turnarounds.

[Luminous Animal]

6. It has been shown that more compassionate prison systems

are significantly more apt to result in remarkable turnarounds.

And, good for you!

[zbdent]

7. You know, if Jim Traficant got out of prison and supported Democrats ...

then you'd always hear (from the "liberally-biased media&quot about his prison record.

Yet he came out of prison and became a 'bagger ... and ... silence.

I guess that only certain people can be "rehabilitated" and "forgiven" for their "crimes". Not because of Race ... but because of which party you support.

If Traficant were black and Ramsey were white ... Faux followers would be more than happy to say what a wonderful person Ramsey was, and Traficant would have trouble getting change for a $5. (reason for "race" in this last statement ... Repugs point out that "blacks" vote overwhelmingly for Dems; when you are accused of succeeding only by "affirmative action", true or most likely not, it does sour your attitude toward the accuser.)

[Junkdrawer]

8. True. But I'm thinking it's beyond politics....

A cultural change. A deepening cynicism.

[mokawanis]

9. It's a broad topic to tackle

but I think we use people's past mistakes against them too often. Remorse and an honest effort to improve one's character and behavior should be encouraged and acknowledged.

I work with men who were found not guilty of felony crimes, due to mental illness, and I spend a lot of time trying to convince them that they are capable of change and growth and that they can turn their lives around. Some of them succeed, some don't, but I believe they should all be given the chance.