Volunteer work has always been a part of my life and had seemed more of a routine over time. However, two years ago I really got to understand the power of having your own opinion through volunteering at a soup kitchen. This was one of the few major breakthroughs that I have encountered in my life. When I went, I met a man named Dell and he changed my perspective on how I could use my voice.
The dread and yearning to be anywhere else before I got to the kitchen, was not nearly comparable to the intellectual and electrifying feeling I felt afterward. Dell’s warm personality immediately grew on me and I became more and more interested in his story. After the general introductions, we eventually began to share how our lives were and what we’ve done and planned on doing. Dell mentioned that he was an ex-convict who got out of prison three years ago and had been unemployed and homeless ever since he was released. He brushed over the fact that he had committed a pretty severe theft that landed him in prison for nearly 20 years. Although he had completed his sentence, he explained that every prisoner essentially knew that a new life outside of being convicted is extremely inconclusive and rarely ever the case. This immediately made me question as to why he was unable to live a new life outside of prison. But his answer was nothing new or shocking that I hadn’t known before. Job applications, renting a house, applying for college, etc. typically ask whether or not you have ever been convicted. This automatically changes the outcome of whether you are qualified or not. Dell explained the struggle that many of his ex-convict friends have to deal with, leaving many of them homeless on the streets of New York City. The pain and hopelessness that Dell radiated was extremely emotional and brought tears to my eyes. Not only was I confused, but a rush of questions and thoughts flooded my brain. It seemed clear that ex-convicts lose their credibility and reputation when they are imprisoned. But this was a consequence of them committing the felony or crime.
I wanted to make a change but Dell had some influence not all. I was the one who ultimately got to open up my voice to my surroundings. Although ex-convicts are scrutinized and discriminated against, they commit some type of wrong to different degrees. There is no denying that they deserve the right to be given consequences for their action. However, they should be given a second life outside of their mistake. Their mistakes may be extremely different than me arguing with my parents, however, they served their prison sentence and deserve more than to be thrown away like damaged goods. Dell expressed the idea that once you commit a felony, your punishment does not end after you get out of prison, and will follow you to your death. There are many opinions and different points of views that can be taken towards this matter, but I want to address incarceration. The moral of the story is that ex-convicts should be able to have another life outside of prison, or else what is the point in even releasing them? Although some do get to live new lives, these people are separated from society and are given a dramatic disadvantage. Their voting rights, ability to obtain a job, ability to sustain a new life, etc. is unimaginable today. Like Dell, there are millions of people in the United States who are unable to live out another life or chance. Although there are people who will abuse second chances, does not mean that the majority of these people should be judged by them. Many people like Dell, deserve to have a second chance at regaining credibility after they serve their punishment. Their prison sentence may have a deadline, but the punishment definitely does not end there.
Incarceration is extremely unaddressed and many people are unaware of these related issues. A perfect example was my shocked reaction to this issue. Before, I only had a general idea that criminals stay criminals and should get what they deserve. However, like us, they are human and make mistakes. Many arguments can be made about how certain extremely dangerous people should not be given this chance, but not all ex-convicts should be thrown into this mix. People should be aware of this issue and must fight the urge to completely combine all prisoner and convicts into one category. This is such an unaddressed issue because giving prisoners a chance to live a new life seems unthinkable. Although, I am suggesting that people must understand the severity of this issue. This does not mean that everyone has to agree. There are many opinions about different issues in this world, however, incarcerated people should be given more thought and consideration.
