Often times people assume I will side with a criminal or inmate quicker than I will side with the law, just because I have served time. I suppose that comes with the label ‘convicted felon’.
Usually it’s in terms of the prison experience. For instance, it’s no secret that the food served in jails and prisons is nothing to write home about. It’s jail, and even though it was tough to endure for two years, I still don’t think the food served in prisons and jails should be particularly tasty. I draw the line at unsafe conditions; food should be prepared properly, safe and free of vermin. As for taste? Food is necessary for sustaining life and shouldn’t be a luxury afforded to inmates. It’s prison, not a luxury vacation. Especially in jails and State prisons where everything is paid for by taxpayers.
I was recently taken aback by a posting I read on a prison-related message board I subscribe to. The writer suggested that it is unfair that inmates are expected to pay restitution to their victim when serving time in a work release program. The work release program is still incarceration in a prison, but inmates are allowed to leave and hold a job in the civilian world. Room & Board are deducted from the inmate’s account each month to pay for their stay. The remainder of the money is saved for release, to help the inmate start a reformed life. At least, that’s the way it is supposed to work.
The person who posted the comment doesn’t think this is fair because the inmate, her son in this case, needs the money more than the victim in order to have a better life when he is released.
I responded that I disagreed. Believe me, I know the importance of needing the nest egg once leaving the prison system. For many inmates, the job they obtain while in the work release program is the first legitimate job they have had. The money usually goes toward a deposit on an apartment and purchasing items such as clothing, housewares, and the like.
But I also understand the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. In many cases, the inmate has committed a crime against a person or persons. I knew many women who served lengthy time for armed robbery, which most certainly affected someone. I know that paying more restitution to a victim will never take away their pain or make things right. But I do believe it is a necessary part of the inmate’s change, if he or she has made one. It’s about admitting fault and admitting that you have impacted someone’s life. It’s a commitment to do things better. It’s a sacrifice.
When I was in a transitional center work release program, I saw the extremes: I saw inmates leave with over $10,000 in their account, only to end up in the prison system again within a few months (usually due to drug addiction). I also saw inmates leave with very little to their name, with no family support or help, and fully succeed. One former inmate I know is now the event coordinator for an upscale hotel in downtown Atlanta. She started as a housekeeper with no experience while she was incarcerated.
I was surprised when I received a private message from an anonymous person cursing me for not seeing things from the inmate’s point of view. Simply because I served time I obviously should agree that this is a very unfair deal for inmates in the work release program, that they work hard and shouldn’t have to pay 30% of their income toward room and board, much less to a victim’s program.
Simply put, it’s all about choices. Sure, having a hefty nest egg probably increases the chance for rehabilitation once released. But he can have all the money in the world and still make bad choices to put himself back in prison. If he truly wants a better life, he will find one. If it takes two jobs to provide for expenses and pay parole or probation fines and restitution to the victim, he will do it. He will do it if it takes three jobs. If he wants a better life for himself, he will do whatever it takes. Sometimes it’s easier to blame situations and other people than it is to make better choices for yourself and act on them.
What I want to know is, when did the victim’s get a choice? And when will inmates learn to take responsibility for their actions?
I agree – if you can’t afford to pay back the things that were taken, or in some cases, were not taken, then you shouldn’t do the crime. If you want to do right, you will move heaven and earth to get it done.
Honestly, I don’t believe that the state should pay for incarceration – I believe that the inmate should work within certain limits, to actually pay for the time that they spend as a “guest”. Why should it be a burden upon the taxpayer to house, feed etc people that **choose** to not be a functional part of society?
Controversial, I know, but that’s been my thought for many years.
Well said. I think you have a very valid point and are right on the money. Big boy rules apply.