And I, being one who is actually at the level in business where a person would know how these decision are made, pointed out reality.

When you are convicted of a crime and sent to prison, the majority of the time it is for a felony which comes with a host of ramifications that follow you thru life upon your release. That is the way it is.

One being you can kiss any chance of getting a good job good bye., especially in this day and age where the initial job applicant applies on line or electronically. And background checks are pretty much mandatory.

Click yes to the question of " have you ever been convicted of a crime" and see how far that job inquiry goes. I know where it goes.. right out the electronic back door. ( i.e. filters)

That was MY point.... Reality.

And since we're talking common sense, here's some. Don't do something that sends you to prison in the first place. Because if you do, then be prepared for reality upon your release.

I also believe in second chances but many of these criminals are repeat offenders. They are too sucked into a life of crime or a victim of circumstance and environment. Upstanding role models are slim to nonexistent for them. It becomes a vicious cycle.

your right. And the fact is companies do not want to take that chance.. in many instances, they can't. They can't open themselves up to any possible liability issues should something happen. Not in this day and age where they are being sued left and right. They just are not going to do it.

That is why we walked away from the offer of work release prisoners in one of our locations.. Our lawyer also had a say in the matter, and advised against hiring them.

It is a vicious cycle. no doubt about it. But a cycle started by the person who did the crime.

and yet, I still believe there are those who would take the risk

just how it is doesn't always mean how it should be or how it will remain

but it starts with those who care more about the should be than the is. and I am positive they are out there,,,

people who can see how much more of a benefit it is to do it this way than the way 'it is',,,,

There are jobs; blue collar type construction/sanitation workers/street crew...often city municipalities will work closely with a local � way house for job placement to hire a set number of warm bodies as permanent part time employee and once their 90 day review period is up and should a 'walking wounded' {workers comp employee not be able to return to work} then there's a full time position open that they've got a trained employee ready to fill that slot!

It was amazing how many ads we run and we'd get no one wanting to 'do grunt work' even at $20. an/hr {repetitive manual labor just isn't what a lot of men look for nowadays} and the turn over is horrendous. So we had to find options that would keep our street & solid waste crews going.

yeah, there are some jobs people just don't want and its not a matter of pay

many more people would work fast food for 20 an hour

but handling waste and waste byproducts,,,,not so much

its a great idea to give people an opportunity to do better instead of just keeping them stuck in a circle of overwhelming obstacles...

In an ideal world, this would be beautiful. In the real world, too many circumstances and obstacles which will lead to failure. But I like your thinking, Ms Harmony. Everyone has value, just the right person hasn't come into their lives to make a difference. And you need to be a tough person with a lot of patience.

I worked as an Executive Assistant over 20 years ago at a non-profit organization for non-violent youth offenders. Most of them were black and Hispanic youths. They were youngsters who made mistakes. The organization enrolled them in a school to work program. They made the minimum wage for work and attended school during the day. It was a successful program. They had employees whose primary job was to cold call and create contracts with private companies to employ these youths. They also provided a bond contract in case of liabilities. I worked there for 2 years. It was a great group of people, my co-workers and the youths. They all loved me there. They kept inviting me back for reunions but I didn't go back because my boss was a raging psychotic ho who everyone hated. If not for her, I would have shown up. I still would love to attend a reunion.

The program also had counselors who worked with the youths.

It's easy to pass judgement on a group when you have no real interaction with them. My experiences have been positive with all races, especially since I live in the melting pot city of NYC. My mom lives in a primarily black community. She always tells me how amazed she is at the kindness of the people in the area. She has fallen a few times. Her knees and health are not what they used to be. Some would stay by her side until they were sure she could walk. No one abandoned her or turned away. And no one robbed her. Not everyone would be this attentive. She lives in a safe neighborhood. I know stereotypes make everyone believe that a predominantly black neighborhood is an unsafe ghetto full of thugs and criminals. Just want to shatter those perceptions.

OH...now that is absolutely a 'SHAME'; all those young people who were impressed and happy to see you and you'd let some 'old curmudgeon' ruin the chance to see how much they'd improved and gone on with their lives --- and you let this - this human stand between you and a opportunity to greet & meet those kids again!

Umphhhh, and here I was think'n you were made of tougher stuff! KILL HER WITH KINDNESS and go enjoy yourself! And be sure to tell us how much they've impressed you with all of hard work and growth!

Justice Center Leoben, Austria

If you've got your heart set on committing a nonviolent crime, say burglary, Leoben, Austria, is the place to go. In the Justice Center at Leoben, each prisoner is given a single cell, with a private bathroom, and kitchenette, plus a television. The weight room, basketball court and outdoor recreation area can be quite enjoyable as well.

Otago Corrections Facility, New Zealand

Otago corrections facility has a single entrance and an electrical fence, and x-rays all visitors—in addition to employing everything from cell phone jammers and microwave sensors. Aside from providing comfortable rooms, Otago rehabilitates prisoners by teaching them job skills in light engineering, dairy farming and cooking.

HMP Addiewell, Scotland

Her Majesty's Prison Addiewell is located in southern Scotland and privately managed by Sodexo Justice Services. Addiewell is a learning prison, where inmates are given 40 hours a week of purposeful activity aimed at building job skills to allow for a transition back to civilian life.

Bastoy Prison, Norway

Not every developed nation embraces America’s get-tough-on-crime prison philosophy.

This minimum security prison colony is located on Bastoy Island in the middle of the Oslofjord. It houses slightly over 100 inmates who live in small cottages and work on the prison farm. Sunbathing in addition to tennis, fishing and horseback riding are the preferred pastimes of the prisoners.

If you want to see nine more lockups that bust out of the accepted penitentiary mold,

Aranjuez Prison, Spain

There are countless broken homes in America because a parent, or maybe both, are locked up and a child is left with a single parent, or worse, on their own. Aranjuez Prison in Spain addresses this problem, and is known as the premier prison for families. Children can stay with their incarcerated parents as long as they are present at morning and evening roll call.

You are absolutely right. If that invite comes around again, I am definitely showing up. Hopefully, my boss passed on by now. *cough cough*

ATTA GIRL...