We Are Not Defined by Our Past

I recently had the opportunity to attend a symposium organized by Sheila Rule.  The organization she runs is called "Think Outside the Cell".  One of the main messages of the event was that we are not defined by our past and we are not defined by our mistakes.  There was a number of wonderful speakers, all of whom were well versed in all sides of our current justice system.  They spoke about all the flaws in our current justice system and how they have started programs to make changes for the better of all.

The United States currently incarcerates the highest percentage of it's population of all the super powers in the world today.  Is that something we should be proud of?  I don't know about you, but I am not thrilled with thinking that the US has a higher population of degenerates than all the other countries of the world.  I do think it is simply because we have become a society that wants vengeance instead of punishment with rehabilitation.

The main theme of the day was that people should not be defined by what they have done in the past but who they are now.  If we were defined by our past we would all be called crybabies who do not like to share and are immature emotionally.  However, we are all allowed to grow, learn and improve to become better individuals.  Then how come some people are not given the same consideration when they have made bad decisions and choices as adults.  People are found guilty, or plead guilty, and then serve their sentence, but they are not allowed to come home and start a new life.  They are forced to carry their crime with them forever because they are not allowed to move beyond what they did by those around them.

Since when have we become a society that does not offer a fresh start to those who have served their sentences.  How many of us can remember a time when we made a mistake and someone gave us the opportunity to make amends and move beyond our mistakes?  Should it make a difference whether it was a small mistake between friends or something considered illegal?  The same opportunity should be granted to everyone. 

Just some thing to think about in this time when families are being affected, budgets are not balanced because of excessive spending on costs of incarceration versus alternatives and, taxpayers are footing the bill for all those behind bars.  No one wins.