Can an ex-felon ever become a successful law-abiding citizen?

[Jeff L]

Wasn't he put in prison for murder? Honestly that whole family is whacked

"DOG" was in some type of "biker gang" and, if I recall correctly, served five years for murder after driving a member of said gang to a meeting point to buy drugs which resulted in a murder being committed. "DOG" was sitting out in the car at the time (supposedly).

[wacodep]

Can an ex-felon ever become a successful law-abiding citizen?

Long story short: It's not IMPOSSIBLE, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

And, as was previously stated, there's no such thing as an ex-felon.

[mxwelch]

I work with a guy that pulled some time for burglary. He now has a family and is one of the hardest working guys we have. Strait and narrow.

[sgtbear111]

I know several people who exited the system for good. Some I knew before an official contact caused me to find out, and then I didn't mention my knowing, just info incidental to an active case. Their past, their privacy. Those who left the system, hopefully for life, do not appear on the law-enforcement blotter and do not want to - never. They value their anonymity, and some can be found among the silent supporters of law enforcement. Not too unusual that some quiet person will stop to offer an assist an officer (i.e. first aid at a traffic wreck, herd stray cattle off a roadway, or help with a fighting drunk) then quietly and anonymously depart after help arrives... who was that guy?

It is tough to change - drugs alcohol and laziness are the foundation of a criminal career. The sociopath is a totally different and dangerous critter. The average (non-sociopath) felon makes recovery happen by their post-conviction deeds, and changing their behavior. Words are cheap and I've listened to some of the most sincere people - and guess what, the absolute most sincere "swear to God" ones were still locked up...Phony sincerity, words without deeds, and blaming others is not the path to recovering from a criminal past. Those who exit the system for good, are the success stories; people who screwed up, that we dealt with maybe once, or a long time ago. They took their outcome and made it work, just needed a bit of a push in that direction. Unfortuntely success stats are still low.

Giving the offender an opportunity, like hiring one, is a reach for faith and trust in another human being who is reaching out. Once a generous person is conned or burned by an offender, that person's loss of trust slams doors for the next offender needing a chance.

I was fortunate to see a few people that I sent to prison, return home changed and determined to exit the system. They were doing it, not talking it. Their new lives were one of those intangible rewards of the "job" that are still too infrequent.

[retdetsgt]

I know a guy that is an alumni of both Alabama Maximum Security and the Texas state resort in Huntsville.

Now he and another guy own a alcohol/drug treatment facility and make a hell of a lot more money than I ever did, and legitimately!

I had a cousin in Texas that did time and came out and went back to his former occupation of an auto mechanic. He did okay and finally opened his own shop. He retired a few years ago.

I have another cousin back there who did time in federal and state institutions for some creative computer work on DL's and checks. He got out, but is still a crook. Too lazy to get a real job. It's a matter of time until he goes back in again, but that's his choice, not society's.

It can happen, but like others said, they have to get out of the mindset and generally have to go into an occupation that doesn't require a lot of trust in them for a while until they can prove themselves.

[markmagas]

The label felon remains for life. Someone said it takes a minute to rob a bank. Which I assume means he sees felonies as involving threatening (assault) and violence. (battery armed criminal action) In reality few felons fit the profile. A felony is in most states damage or theft over $700 dollars or drug sales defined by various amounts with the amounts lowest for crack which is another issue. So vandalism ,theft, statutory rape, all carry the lifetime burden of a felony conviction.
There are jobs which by statute exclude felons and in many cases those are irrational. There is no reason that a former marijuana or even crack dealer cannot be a barber though in many states the licensee will be denied. Most states deny 64 licenses to felons. Then there are the jobs which public outcry prevents felons from having: anything in proximity to children or the elderly. Once again what bank fraud has to do with driving a school bus I have no idea. Not to mention a RICO conviction which is the penalty for being the spouse of a drug dealer. Further there is the de facto practice of not hiring felons no matter what the position.,
So it is hard. I am working on setting up a educational not for profit that will demonstrate the felons difficulties in seeking an education, buying a home or even creating a safe environment for their children. To me the waste both in social cost and loss economic activity is enormous.
Mark.Magas@gmail.com

[markmagas]

Anyone knowing of exoffenders who want to help please encourage them to contact me. We need those success stories and we also need a small amount approximately $4000 which I would be glad to explain.
Mark Magas
314-497-6475
mark@FullCitizen.org

BTW I am not a felon I run funds brokerage and an import export company and I will definitely consider felons for the post that the latter will soon create.

[mcsap]

This thread is from 2005 !!!!!!!

The proper way to start on this site is to go over to the New Member Introductions area and tell us a little about yourself. Thank You.

This thread is closed.