Recidivism Rises | Single-Story

Convicted felons have an enormous challenge after they have served their sentence and attempt to reenter society. Princeton University sociologist Bruce Western says, "Having a felony on your record is like having the mark of Cain on your forehead.” As felons seek to reenter society by finding employment and revamping their lives, they are usually received with hesitation rather than motivation. This creates a cycle of recidivism as felons are denied work and then revert to their old habits as ways to find income and cope with rejection.

A 2007 recidivism study of Connecticut inmates found that unemployment was a major factor in reconviction. More than one-third of the ex-offenders that had been released couldn’t find work in the six months prior to the reconviction. An ex-offender is forced to relive their mistakes every time they seek for employment or to be a part of a community. Yes, society should exercise caution with ex-offenders, but too much caution tape can cause them to turn around to the life they want to leave behind.

Ex-offenders are categorized into a “single-story” of bad decisions, lack of self-discipline, and people that deserve what happened to them. As a missionary I taught a few convicted felons that decided to join the church. They were all good people with good hearts, but they had been categorized into a “single-story” since they were young. This is what originally caused them to seek after activities that lead to incarceration. Once they were received into the church with open arms and without initial judgment, they felt a relief and acceptance that they hadn’t felt in their own community.

Although this is inaccurate, it does portray how quick society is to “single-story” people based off of past decisions or appearance.

This link below is a speech from a convicted felon. He speaks of the trials we went through in his life because he was a convicted felon because of something he did in his youth. He now has a doctorate in health sciences and has become a major member of his community. We don't have to buy into the single-story. 

Convicted felon gives graduation commencement speech

It is easy to "single-story" a felon. The things they have done in the past are dangerous and could have harmed others. But the social implication is cyclical and damaging. The most helpful action is to consider them as who they are without the felony. This will allow them to change and recidivism rates to decrease. 

On a personal note, I have an uncle who has worked in prisons and as a parole officer. Of course his job is tiring and demanding, but he has seen many ex-offenders change their attitudes and behaviors when they are given the chance to do so. The simple act of interviewing an ex-offender for a job and showing them equal opportunity can have a long-lasting impact.