First, I am amazed at all the posts and how well they went.
Second, even though you folks can't see them I got a lot of PM's and email from posters that decided to express their thoughts in private. (I've never had so many PM's before.) To my surprise there were a lot of people that wrote to say they too had been in trouble with drugs and managed to get their lives sorted out. I can't help but wonder if they are the majority and we only see and hear about the ones that fail. Joe Blow managed to go another day without a problem simply isn't good headline fodder.
Third and maybe the most important take away from all of this is how badly our system is screwed up. By that I am talking about how the release of a convict is handled. I admit I was poorly informed and always imagined the state, parole board, parole officers, etc. would WANT employers actively involved to make that transition easier and give it a better chance of success. Such simply is not the case and in some ways it's as if the prospective employer is the bad guy or someone that is not to be trusted with important information.
I can see no reason at all to NOT let an employer start talking with the convict when a parole has been granted, or even before hand to accertain if the person is a good parole candidate. I can see no reason the prison councilors can't talk to or at least forward a written report on how well the convict has or has not performed in the prison or the treatment program.
I hate to say it but if all convicts are handled in this manner it does not surprise me at all that a large percentage go in and out of prison as if it had a revolving door. All I am saying is that if the real goal is rehabilitation and the person becoming a member of society then something has to change in how they are sent back into the world.
No, I am NOT saying to coddle them but sheesh... Anyone looking for work needs to be able to sell themselves to a prospective employer and make reasonable arrangements.
Second, even though you folks can't see them I got a lot of PM's and email from posters that decided to express their thoughts in private. (I've never had so many PM's before.) To my surprise there were a lot of people that wrote to say they too had been in trouble with drugs and managed to get their lives sorted out. I can't help but wonder if they are the majority and we only see and hear about the ones that fail. Joe Blow managed to go another day without a problem simply isn't good headline fodder.
Third and maybe the most important take away from all of this is how badly our system is screwed up. By that I am talking about how the release of a convict is handled. I admit I was poorly informed and always imagined the state, parole board, parole officers, etc. would WANT employers actively involved to make that transition easier and give it a better chance of success. Such simply is not the case and in some ways it's as if the prospective employer is the bad guy or someone that is not to be trusted with important information.
I can see no reason at all to NOT let an employer start talking with the convict when a parole has been granted, or even before hand to accertain if the person is a good parole candidate. I can see no reason the prison councilors can't talk to or at least forward a written report on how well the convict has or has not performed in the prison or the treatment program.
I hate to say it but if all convicts are handled in this manner it does not surprise me at all that a large percentage go in and out of prison as if it had a revolving door. All I am saying is that if the real goal is rehabilitation and the person becoming a member of society then something has to change in how they are sent back into the world.
No, I am NOT saying to coddle them but sheesh... Anyone looking for work needs to be able to sell themselves to a prospective employer and make reasonable arrangements.
