I love this. This is a good counterpoint to my post. I really believe in these rehabilitation programs that teach "criminals" about their own worth and potential. One of my favorite programs is in Chicago: it teaches former inmates to be beekeepers. It's amazing to hear these hardened men talking about honeybees with love and respect.

Thanks for the reminder that "damaged goods" is just a state of mind.

"We're all damaged goods"
-- my favorite quote from my favorite movie, "Playing By Heart" ♥

I haven't read your post yet (I wait to read all the lj idol entries until after I post my own) but I look forward to it. ;-)

thank you lovey ♥

I work as a counselor in a residential treatment center for adolescent boys, with charges just like the ones in this article. One of the boys on my caseload told me the other day that he likes to crochet. Reading that article has given me the idea that with the holidays coming up maybe he and some of the other boys would like to make and donate blankets or hats. Thanks for sharing this.

oh, yay! you are most welcome; I hope it works out! ;-)

That's very cool. I very much agree with what you've said in this post. My dad has done some work with (adult) prisoners in an alternatives to violence program, and has found it largely very rewarding. People, even people who have done bad things, have such potential, and it's really inspiring to see them making different decisions that are so positive.

People, even people who have done bad things, have such potential, and it's really inspiring to see them making different decisions that are so positive.

I very much agree ♥

Very nice piece.

thank you ;-)

It is nice reading some positive news. I know it is out there but it can be hard to find.

Nicely done.

It definitely is hard to find!

thanks!

I agree, positive news is good. I don't watch the news, I haven't in years, because it all makes me righteously angry and/or sad, but I'm glad when LJ friends bring happy things to my attention.

I only have one qualm:
The caption under the photo speaks of a "Crochet Hook" when behind the dude in the photo, it's tables and tables of Fleece Fringe-Tied blankets. Which... uh. Don't involve crocheting. XD Whoever originally reported this is clearly not a crafty person.

oh, actually they do both crocheting and what they call 'tied fleece' blankets. ;-)

I don't watch any news either. I have limited time here on this planet and I don't plan to waste any time focusing on depressing stuff that I can't change. Instead I'll focus on things I CAN change and things that bring me joy. ;-) I love that GNN site!

Niiice.

I agree with you 100%.

I think our jail system is very inhuman on so many levels. The argument seems to be that the criminals have "given up their privilege" to be a part of humanity, but I think that is not logical and I think it is hypocritical. The human condition entails things such as suffering and repeating cycles, and humanity in part means having the capability to overcome these things, learn from our mistakes, grow and give back. I have faith that we are always able to reconnect and even to relate to those who can't... connect to us, if we ourselves have learned better and have the empathy. This means that while some people may never "rejoin" human community because they are very mentally ill and not capable of it, they suffer from conditions we can sympathize and empathize with if we search ourselves deeply... for if we value love, etc, then seeing someone else incapable of experiencing it the way we do or of growing significantly, then we can feel badly for that person. Atleast I do, since I believe love is unconditional and everyone deserves it.

Anyway, that's just a bit of a tangent because I always end up arguing with people about people who "can't" relate to humanity anymore. In those rare cases, it doesn't mean WE can't relate to humanity anymore!

And in most cases, like with the people in the article, it IS possible to heal and grow. Someone making a mistake or doing something inhumane is not an excuse to throw away our own.

Anyway, I think our jail system is very inefficient, ignorant, and perpetuated by the power-privilege cycle (much like sexism and racism are). A difference is that to go to jail one usually actually commits a crime, whereas being female or of a certain ethnicity aren't a crime. But it is still based on the idea that somehow people can do or be something to make one inferior. The reasons why people hate anyone probably has to do with a misconception, and hate means not giving the person a chance to change (whether or not they even need to, but it's the mindset) because somehow they believe that some people are just not born with or have just chosen not to be "worth as much."

I think people do not want to give up their power privilege.

Anyway, in the case of prison, I think some argue that "Well I've been hurt and I don't commit arson, those people had a chance to get help or deal with their issues otherwise but they made the wrong choice." But the thing is that everyone has a different circumstance, everyone is on a different place in ones journey and not everyone has had the same options to get help or the right mindset.

A person who has hurt others and is sent to jail is someone who does not value oneself as it is. Obviously having that belief about oneself was part of why one acted out in the first place, so reinforcing it is not even logical.

Negative reinforcement DOES NOT work, atleast not nearly as well as positive reinforcement. When we acknowledge others as human beings, and good people, show them we are thankful for them or see something in them, those people become much more willing to cooperate because they now have someone who sees something in them. And they now have new hope, and they have a sense of bonding they do not want to lose. People who already feel like they have nothing more to lose are those who are most likely to commit such crimes.

Instilling people with a new sense of hope and showing them alternative ways of thinking about things and behaving, gives the person something to hold onto, work for, and therefore will be likely to work towards NOT losing that.

And ESPECIALLY! Damnit especially when it is a kid! I don't understand how people can solely blame children as if the child is a "bad person" when a young person still NEEDS direction, guidance, and is still developing a sense of the world and of boundaries and of oneself. If a kid acts out during these stages, something has gone wrong in the development, which has been the responsibility of those caring for the kid. I'm not saying all parents of juvenile delinquents are bad parents... but it isn't just the parents, it is so many factors involved in how a child is raised. Plus even good parents make some very critical mistakes, meaning well but doing a lot of harm. That is not intentional but it is not the fault of the kid.

I'm not saying that the kid or that anyone doesn't have to take responsibility for ones actions--- but the way one will LEARN responsibility for ones actions is to have a chance to see that he or she actually has an impact on people, and that it can be good or bad. It reinforces the notion that one does have choices. Which is why something like the crochetin project is marvelous in my opinion.

I am a HUGE believer in Unconditional Positive Regard, which is treating someone as though he or she has worth ... UNCONDITIONALLY. That means t hat no matter what mistakes are made, someone is to be treated like he or she still matters and has a chance to change. If we keep telling people that they are BAD and that it is definite, they are bad and always will be, who of those people will actually believe he or she CAN change? Therefore who will even try to? Reinforcing a negative role only helps perpetuate it.

I so much agree with all you had to say that I don't have anything to add!

Your post made me think of my brother. One of the things that profoundly upsets me is that even though his very obvious woundedness was what caused him to hurt other people, including me, NO ONE was willing to help him. All the programs and things he went into were designed to stop his behaviour, not treat it. The result, as you well know, was heartbreaking.

I remember Michael often told me he didn't do much, because not much was expected of him (from he who is given much, much is required...) And I believe that sometimes, when you sit broken people down and say, no, despite everything you still have something to contribute and something to give...

It makes a world of difference.

I'm glad you posted this.

*hugs* I don't know what to say... it is heartbreaking. I think many people (and I used to be one of them) see hurtful things as a symptom of that person being willfully nasty, rather than acting out of brokenness. And we do have the power to change ourselves to some extent, but a lot of times our brokenness is just too much for us to handle on our own, and our efforts may look like nothing at all.

love you ♥ thank you for this comment.

A very good article, it's nice to see positive programs like this. I sometimes think that teaching people empathy is as important as any other subject you get in schools.

I've seen/heard about similar results in teaching people to garden. I think it's because gardening is inherently meditative and focused work which is another skill set many people lack.

Thanks for your article! I like stuff that makes me think :-)

thank you for your comment! And I could definitely understand how gardening could be helpful -- it's caring for another living thing ♥

Submitted this to digg right after I read it. Hopefully it'll get some press.

awesome! ;-)

nice entry.

thanks!

Whoo! That's an awesome program! :)

And a great post.

I agree!

thanks!

This is beautiful. I know that one of the reasons I'm so deeply involved in community projects is out of that need to give something back. I can only imagine what that must be like for someone who has already been labeled "throw away" by society.

yes, exactly ♥

I fully believe that even the people who commit the most heinous crimes are still PEOPLE. They need love the same as all of us do.

Great entry.

YES indeed. and thank you!

it's a great article. i'm glad theyre doing some good and rehabilitating these kids instead of sticking them in jail and letting them learn even worse habits than they went in there with. although i dont think it'd work on everyone (sociopaths and psychopaths for example, who cant feel empathy or can lie so well they can fake empathy) the 85% success rate should make other cities look into programs like this.

I agree!

Love the post, and THANKS for the link to the Good News Network, that's exactly what I'd like to read!

thanks, and you're welcome! ;-)

I was reading an article in an old Smithsonian about a program where the prisoners trained seeing-eye dogs. Sometimes this is all it takes.

oh wow, how wonderful ♥

I also agree with your assessment, and I see some possible solutions. If the government were to simply give an increased tax-break or tax-based incentive to non-profit organizations that are dedicated to physically going to prisons, then perhaps the U.S. (and other countries) could get a firmer grip on the actual root of crime.

Also--as someone else pointed out--in this system mercy is usually up to a jury, not common sense or truth; a female or racial minority may very well get out of a sentence altogether when she/they committed a crime equal to someone serving years, all dependent on the jury. On the flip side, the inverse may happen--especially with minorities--and someone who had performed a lesser crime can "do more time" than a person who has done worse.

But one of the biggest underlying points I see from this is of simple mercy. When do I give up on someone for hurting me, after they've done it over and over? What if they do not show signs of improvement after a while? What if they DO, but still slip-up sometimes? How does our current system respond to this? It doesn't. How do I, as a person, respond to it? Should I? Should you?

I like how you looked at it and brought it back to a very personal view! thanks for the comment ♥

I used that technique a great deal as a teacher. Whenever possible, I'd always find a way to show others ways to give and share, and to give them responsibility and trust they weren't necessarily used to.

awesome! I'm glad there are teachers like you ♥

There *is* hope.

yes ♥

I was fired. :-P

wut?

Your post describes very well why I got into the line of work I did and why I want to be a counsellor. I truly believe that people who comit criems and treat others poorly are people that have been very badly hurt. Some are just operatiing on what they know. If they were raised in an abusive, uncaring environment with no love or tenderness expressed to them, how can they know how to express love and tenderness to another? It's a pattern I see over and over.

I agree that if people are given a chance to give, the they can learn all the things theymissed out on and move on to live as healed human beings eventually. I'm a strong believer in compassion and second chances. Everyone deserves the chance to heal.

In other words, I agree. ^.^

It's great to hear that there are programs like this that help juvenile offenders get their life back on track. I give a thumbs up for the program and the participants.

Juvenile boot camp programs is another option for juveniles to get their life on the right path and ready to grow into mature and responsible adults. The purpose of these programs is to teach maturity, self-control, accountability and respect for authority, so juveniles can become productive members of the community.

This is belated, as I only just found this post, but please read this account of an experience of being in a boot camp.