Rocky Road Back Into Society

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Should convicted ex-convicts be given a second chance? This is a common topic talked about all around the world. There are many of people who’ve made mistakes, particularly when they’re young, and why this shouldn’t be in everyone interests to help them redeem themselves and then get on a straight path. Many who are being released from incarceration fear failure before release to society with only the basic minimum education allowed while incarcerated. According to Wheeler & Patterson (2008) “Problems when reentering communities, including substance abuse; mental illness; HIV and AIDS; lack of education; unemployment; homelessness; legal barriers to receiving public services, such as bans on obtaining public assistance; public housing restrictions and limited transitional housing options” (p.145). However, when ex-convicts are not given an equal chance in employment, to improve themselves, they will usually fall back into the cycle of crime and incarceration. Things like theft and drug abuse are caused as a result of the social, financial and physical effects of poverty or poor financial state. In cases, the convicts have little to no money saved up but in other cases, the ex-convict is in a good state with money saved up but somehow ended up as a convict, will also end up in poor as they will soon deplete their money due to the lack of income. In either case, by not giving equal chance for ex-convicts in terms of employment, they will end up not having income to improve their financial status. This will force the ex-convicts to find other methods to survive and to support their families. Often, their old ways will lead to returning back into criminal activities as other doors are closed. No matter how tempting, tr... ... middle of paper ... ...ontributor to the community and society. Being giving a second chance to improve your past mistakes and wrong doing should be something to cherish with. It is a blessing because you have the chances to re-do everything in the right direction. Taking responsibility for your actions and changing for the better. People should take advantage of it just like Malcolm X did when he was giving the second chance. He educated himself in the prison to become a better person. For so many successfully personals they were giving a second chance and corrected their previous mistakes. I have holes in my knowledge about subject and looking into more sources can widen my view of the subject. Instead of thinking opinionated I should use more fact and view of others in this topic. This will make my argument more efficient and effective to successfully get others to see my point.

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