If you've been to jail..does that automatically make you a bad person?

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

This is a somewhat obvious question where you are evidently looking for "no" answers, because you inserted the word "automatically". Are you looking for sympathy for yourself or perhaps someone you know?

The answer to your question is obviously no, No one is "automatically" a bad person, because no two circumstances are the same. Just because someone's been put in jail doesn't mean they are bad, a criminal, or necessarily even guilty of anything; they could just have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, or could have been doing something out of a misguided sense of right or wrong; take political protesters who get arrested as an example. They are put in jail, but are not necessarily bad people.

Are MOST offenders who have been to jail "bad people"? Probably, but again, it depends on your definition of a "bad" person.

For purposes of this discussion, I define a bad person as someone who knows that doing a specific criminal act is illegal, but chooses to do it anyway, to the detriment of others without regard to their safety or welfare; however claiming not to have known better because you were too high, drunk, stupid, or lazy isn't an excuse, and still qualifies you as a bad person in my view.

There are other people who do things that aren't necessarily egregious acts, but still are jailable offenses; I don't consider them necessarily "bad", I just call them stupid for getting into that position in the first place.

I could go further but I'll leave it at that.

Answer 3

Everybody makes mistakes, and almost everybody is entitled to the opportunity to overcome their mistakes. Not everybody is given these chances though, and some that do don't take them. To be more specific it is more important what the person went to jail for, and how many times they've been in jail. When it's all said and done: a lot of people in jail aren't bad, but they can't stop doing bad things.

Answer 4

No, it does not. Sometimes it is just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes people just mess up. If you learn from it, so much the better. Rehabilitation does work for some people. Some are scared straight. Unfortunately, some really bad people never even go to jail.

Answer 5

The fact that you've been in jail doesn't make you a bad person. What would make you a bad person is if the reason you went to jail was something terrible..

Answer 6

Dont listen to Brian by the way, he seems really naive and a bit up himself - hes probably about 8. Anyway, no, having been in prison doesnt makes you a bad person. A lot of the time the crimes people commit are done for their own reasons and other people cant see that a lot of the time. If you stabbed someone to death because you thought it would be fun or in a revenge act, then I still wouldnt say you were a bad person because a lot of the time people realise what they have done and again, have their reasons. I feel a bit bad saying this becuase ive never been in prison myself, although my mother and one of my step dads have been in prison for serious enough crimes. I dont think any less of them, especially in my step dads case because i knew the full reason for what he did. All you should to is try to understand why you did what you did (unless it was a miscarriage of justice or sumat) and realise that your reasons are valid obviously because the actual crime happened. Dont beat yourself up about it, prison isnt such a big thing nowadays and if people cant respect you or treat you right because youve been inside theyre not worhty of bein spoken to. Good luck mate.

Answer 7

my husband went to jail for doing "bad things" and since Jesus wasn't in his life he wasn't the nicest guy either. now he is the sweetest man and i love him so much adn he is full of good when he has Jesus in his heart. he had to go back two years ago to clear up some things so he had to spend 3 months in jail but he was having bible studies in there and helping people and totally different he had to pay the price for what he did but he wasn't bad anymore because Jesus forgave him and cleansed him from his pasts sins and the sins we all commit day to day. And he can do the same for anyone no matter what they have done. in my mind i've done stuff even worse than my husband and most people would say i'm a good person and i've never been to jail! my debts have been against God, not society, and to me that is worse.

Answer 8

even if you are a good person.Yes, you have a record and people discriminate against you. Makes it very hard to get a job,cant own a gun can't rent an apartment when your girlfriend finds out she automatically thinks you are bad -n- just hiding it.If you get pulled over for a speeding ticket there will be no leanyancy. Hell even if a cop runs your plate he will try to find a reason to pull you over becvause he knows your bad.and on and on and on. But on the other hand I am doing just fine like any other american so you can't let it get you down, you can work past it in 7 years you can have your record cleared.

Answer 9

Not at all.

Good people can end up in jail too.

Its what you learn in jail and what you bring out with yourself from jail.

People generally mistrust people who have spent time in jail, but they forget that once one has served the punishment, one comes out with a clean slate, a new chance to try again and live a good life as a healthy part of a community.

By pushing ex-convicts into the dark, they deny them the chance to move forwards in life.

Is someone who has stolen a pair of jeans for their child as damned as someone that has murdered a family for pleasure?

How many good people do we all know that have spent time in jail? Even famous people and heroes have spent "quality time" in a government institution.

How many people that have fought for the rights we enjoy today had to do it from behind the bars of a prison? We can't name them all!

Answer 10

Well, I wouldn't say that you could go to jail to find yourself a great new buddy to hang with, but it really depends on what your in for. I come from a family that wouldn't think highly of a person who just came out of jail but i am very open minde. So if a person that just got out of jail worked hard enough to gain my respect, I might hang out with them.

Answer 11

No, my friend. It depends on what you were in there for. Now if you were in prison..... maybe a different story. Rape , murder,
and armed robbery , society will look upon you differently. I was in for my drug usage ( jail, not prison) and it helped me actually
No you're not a bad person. If it was a violent crime I hope you are getting help, but I have a feeling your crime wasn't violent.
Good luck