Why are people scared of ex-cons?

Answer 1

Thats a good question. My oldest son just got out of prison after 8 years. He is trying to find work but when people find out he was in prison, they don't want to give him a chance. He is an amazing artist and does tatoo work like nobody I've ever seen. And it seems those are the only places that will even consider him. Its sad really, he has a heart of gold and would do almost anything I ask him to do. He just got into some trouble running with the wrong people and had to pay the price. But he will probably always carry this big sign with him the rest of his life saying "I am an ex-con". It's not visible, but its very just the same. OK, so he was in prison, not for anything violent, but, he does still have a heart and feelings. I can understand peoples emotions on this. And I know there are all different levels of "cons". But why not just be polite and keep your opinions to yourself.

Answer 2

Could it be because our reform system doesn't work? Prisons are full of people who are there for relatively minor non-violent infractions and they learn some serious violence inside, as well as how to be a "smarter" criminal. Sexual predators are not able to be reformed, that is common knowledge. Some people have spent more time in prison than they have on the outside. I know there are people who do their time and then keep themselves straight when they get out, but the sad reality is that most do not.

Our prison system sucks and it needs to be destroyed and rebuilt. I'm tired of seeing (for example) a 20/20 show where they show someone in prison because they had an ounce of pot on them and they've got a harsher sentence than the murderer in the next cell. The whole system is MESSED UP, most Americans know it, and so they fear those coming out have learned not how to live in society, but just smarter ways of living criminally without getting caught as often.

Answer 3

Movies, Television, Newspapers, they all tend to show only the worst of criminals, and even those are hyped up to bring in the ratings. Of course their are those who are dangerous, but for the most part they are still in prison, or have not even been convicted of a crime yet. I'm not one bit scared, most are people who screwed up and got caught, did their time and are productive citizens. How many people here have done something they could have been arrested for IF they were caught???

Answer 4

I'm not afraid of ex cons; I give everyone a chance, but in my personal experience, it's a very low percent that actually change. They either truly change, keep doing what they were doing, or find something else to get them in trouble. But everyone deserves at least one chance to prove they are changed.

Answer 5

I don't know. I'm not, I think peole deserve another chance. If the court/Prison thinks they are reformed enough to be released then who am I to say they aren't. I will give them a chance, because most of the time that's exactly what they need. A chance in life to be treated like more then just a criminal.

Answer 6

There is no way to tell whether they have reformed or are still dangerous (that is, if they committed a violent crime). People are scared of the unknown, the unpredictable.

Answer 7

In the case of violent crimes how could we be sure the criminal is reformed?
In crimes like theft i don't know since a lot of people we know could be thieves without us knowing

Answer 8

Maybe because they were incarcerated for a Crime ands people tend to shy away from that stuff..But then again you have groupies that get of on those freaks..

Answer 9

Because if they're still abit dodgy, hell how would they know? Shame really, but truth be told, once a thief, always a thief.

Answer 10

Are you serious???? Well...regardless of how "rehabilitated" they say Charles Manson is..I wouldn't hang out with the guy.