SFCRetired
Regular Member
I know a man who, when he was much younger, committed several felonies, at least one of which was federal. None of his crimes involved violence. He served his time and completely turned his life around. Yet it is almost completely impossible for him to have his rights restored.
Added to that is the fact that, once convicted of a felony, even after you have served your time, you have to notify the local police and you may not apply for a job without revealing your status as a convicted felon.
Bottom line: For whatever reason, we continue to punish those who have been convicted even after they have "paid their debt to society".
Granted that there are men and women who should never see the outside of a prison again, but I do think we need a better system than we have for those people. Something like Devil's Island, but more secure and under less barbaric conditions.
Added to that is the fact that, once convicted of a felony, even after you have served your time, you have to notify the local police and you may not apply for a job without revealing your status as a convicted felon.
Bottom line: For whatever reason, we continue to punish those who have been convicted even after they have "paid their debt to society".
Granted that there are men and women who should never see the outside of a prison again, but I do think we need a better system than we have for those people. Something like Devil's Island, but more secure and under less barbaric conditions.