Originally Posted By: Kruse
However, if the people would get caught and have to do some community service, like maybe painting a church or a soup kitchen, people could see their work for possibly years, just like when they tag a train car. Yet, they would whine and complain about painting the church or homeless shelter.
See the irony?
A friend of mine spent 20-some-odd years working in the correctional system(s) for both the Province of Ontario and Canada, working with young offenders and those recently released from prison. He has exactly the opposite to report. His stories of the non-hardened criminals whose lives turned around once they were given a chance to be productive and to contribute (and the senses of belonging and ownership/ responsibility of and for one's community that come with it; something most offenders have never experienced) they treasured it and made the most of it. Especially kids who had just been given their first taste of the justice system: the negative affect of the process of being arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced coupled with the positive impact of actually being an accepted and valued part of something (like a neighbourhood rejuvenation effort that featured their "artwork" such as murals) made for a profound effect.
My friend had resigned from his career out of various frustrations; but the ability of young, non-hardened kids who were just unfortunate enough to have been born into underprivileged circumstances turning their act around within the framework of a supportive community is a bright spot for him!