DCP/1A/25 -- Are Ex-convicts Given Enough Chances?
posted by changzee at 10/23/2006 08:08:00 AM
Monday, October 23, 2006
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31 Comments:
I personally feel hat ex- convicts are given chances. However, sometimes the chances are just not enough. Probably there is still this obstacles/ fear as to whether people should trust them. I feel that people should try to open up their mind and think positively. No one is perfect. Everyone does make mistakes... Although the mistakes made up ex- convicts are serious, they should be given a chance to turn over a new leaf. Most of them are willing to change.. The government has also somehow does their part by setting up a campaign called the Yellow Ribbon Day. I also feel that ex- convicts should prove to others their capability as well as that they are willing to turn over a new leaf so as to overcome the obstacles of trust.
i agree with min.
However, as human beings, upon knowing that someone has once committed an offence, psychologically you'll be wary of that person.Am i right to say that?thats human nature.In fact, there is a saying: a leopard never changes its spot.
Many a times people commit offences because of a moment of greed, foolishness and even peers' influence.
I feel that the ex-convicts are still not given enough chances today.Yes, the government try their best to encourage people to give them a second chance otherwise they will not come up with the yellow ribbon project and even broadcast real life stories on national television.But has the society accepted them?Are people wiiling to give them a second chance?and will people stop looking at them in a different perspective?i'm afraid not.
i too, feel that ex-convicts are not given enough chances in this society. remember, the society is cruel. it doesnt really accommodate to anyone. people will always look at them in contempt and somehow, acceptance from the public is very hard. the very first and primary problem is trust. people ususally brush off when it comes to handling work and trusting ex-convicts. somehow they just dont trust their credibility. why? because they were onced from jail. employment is no doubt, still an issue today. it is clear that the moment you put a yes to the question in the job application form regarding imprisonment, you will know that there will not be a single chance of being called up for a job interview. so that's the cruelty.. and from this, it obviously shows that ex-convicts are still not given enough chances. cos if there are, there is no need for ex-convicts to be worried bout being employed when they are out from prison.
the yellow ribbon project might have give an idea that ex-convicts are given a chance, but in reality, how many ex-convicts that you know of who is actually given a second chance? however, we should also realize of employers who are kind enough to take in ex-convicts as their employees.
bottom line is, i feel that ex-convicts have yet to be given enough chances. looking from the perspective of life i see, ex-convicts have difficulty looking for jobs no matter how high their education is. perhaps the severity of the crime once committed should be looked into. yes, to trust an ex-convict is naturally hard, but employers should put themselves in their position, how would they feel if they weren't given a second chance.
i disagree with yenwei's phrase ''Who can guarentee that they would not commit the 'mistakes' out of greed again?'
i guess no employers would want to hire someone who has used up company's resources illegally before. and that's where i would agree that the ex-convict might repeat the same offence again. it's easy money to get, but once caught, his/her future is pretty dark after being released from jail. compare this person and another who took the cane and stayed in the cell because of rioting. the one most likely to be the greedy brat once again would be the former. i guess if i'm the employer, i'd rather take in the latter.
eventhough an ex-convict is fortunate or lucky enuough to get a job,when somthing happens eg, something has gone missing..the finger is often directed towards them..sometimes they might not even be able to defend themselves..haih
Li min
A good start to the discussion!
Adabelle has brought another perspective to the issue.
While Limin is looking at chances given by the government, Adabelle is talking about chances given by society.
Think lilian and yenwei are echoing each other's views (though yenwei's tone is a littel harsh :)
both are reflecting a grim truth -- if you were the boss, what would you do? would you very willingly give the ex-convict a chance?
Why is it that certain job application forms require us to declare if we've been convicted?
is it a good way to sieve out these people? or is it to ensure that ex-convicts are guided in their careers? it's very tempting to assume the earlier, isn't it?
litong and zul
similar views there. employers seems to be the "culprit" here.
and zul, you seem to be disagreeing with yen wei on all issues! :) nothing wrong but your comments made me laugh...
back to the issue
I'll be the devil's advocate here (intentionally taking the opposing view to get more ideas/view/comments)
an employer's aim is to get profits. in other words, he has to get the employee who not only has the right fit for the job but also has the LEAST POTENTIAL TO CREATE PROBLEMS.
An employer's stand is -- i'm not here to be a social worker. i'm here to make money.
HOw can the society change their minds?
Janice and Alan
think you have taken the same stand-- that society has given them enough chances; it's about time they created some of their own.
Good point!
ermm.. but i dont really agree with alan and janice stance.
the launch of the yellow ribbon project is to enocurage the public to give these ex-criminals more chances and accept them. so as to what alan and janice said, the society has given them enough chances, why is there a yellow ribbon project in the 1st place?
okay janice and alan
you can respond to lilian (rubby) here.
I'll keep silent though i'm tempted to comment. :)
yes i agree with janice and alan to a certain etent. but i agree with rubby to a greater extent that the launch of the yellow ribbon project is because the society has not given them a chance and accept them.What's more about the empolyers,if society cannot accept them.how are you going to convince the empolyer to give them a chance?won't the empolyer be afraid that his/her company will go bust because of this person?
to momokai(i'm not trying to rebutt you, i just have my own views certain issues):
its hard to tell whether someone repents.how do you know they're not acting?They are some kind empolyers out there?maybe.but thats like 1 out of 10?only a small minority.put yourself in the employer's shoes are you sure you can trust someone who have committed offences?not to forget if anything happens you're the one losing out at the end of the day.
and actually the yellow ribbon project is not really very long ago.it started in 2004.which is "quite" recent.
Yes we should create chances for ourselves.but chances don't just come like that.you have to have the opportunities.
you said, "Not to mention, yellow ribbon project is launced by the government (chances given by government here) to remind the public (chances given by the society here) not to give up on the ex-convicts."
yes yellow ribbon project = to the chances given by the government.but to remind the public is not the same as chances qiven by the society.
Government definitely has to start the ball rolling by giving the ex-convicts a chance otherwise how do you expect the society to.
anyway i still feel that there're not enough chances given to the ex-convicts.
ya.. i agree with adabelle that the yellow ribbon project is launched only recently. to be exact,2 years back. it is definitely not been constantly launched for so many years..
so that remind us that the society still cant really accept and give these ex-criminals and that's why the campaign is introduced.
i agree with yenwei, this world is a realistic and cruel world which cannot allow mistakes. In a meritocratic and competitive society, expectaions and demands of perfectionists and good people are there. Chances sometimes are meant to be worked for. With good attitude, i believe Ex-convicts will get the chances they hoped for.
no doubt that life is never fair. unfortunately discrimination doesnt only happen on ex-convicts.
therefore it's the job of the ex-convicts themselves to instill the 'never-say-die' attitude in order to win the hearts of the society.
but hey, maybe ex-convicts are actually given chances, only that in the employment sector,thats when life never seem fair for them.
Yenwei
You've almost written an essay! :)
Think Yenwei's second point is sad but true. There are many people in their forties who are facing the threat of unemployment.
If they find it dofficult to get a job, what more the ex-convicts?
Will address the Yellow Ribbon Project now.
Think the Yellow Ribbon Project is a fairly recent thing. This is an example of the government providing chances for them.
Well, it does not GET them the job they want. But what it does is to create awareness amongst employers that there is such a group of people who could be worthy workers.
However, is this effort enough?
i guess sometimes it is the image these ex-convicts portray to the society.. not all but some of them do have ''criminal'' looks or tattoos of dragon and tiger (haha..result of watchin too much drama here)but often when u c someone which u find them dangerous or suspicious..it is just human instinct that u wanna shun or walk as far as possible.. these ex convicts may have turn over a new leaf but i hate to say..but appearance does make a huge difference. perhaps they can go for a slight makeover before things get complicated?
Gordon
Think you are quite right there.
Yellow ribbon has achieved success in a way. I mean, the fact that some of you are aware of this movement already proves my point.
However, I must say the success is limited.
Alan
A passionate rebuttal.
But I thought you agreed earlier that ex-convicts have been given chances; that they have to start creating their own opportunities.
Your latest post seem to point to people not giving them enough chances.
There is no problem in changing your stand. Just letting you know. :)
Jill
what make-over do you suggest?? :)))
Litong
that's right. Employers take the path of least resistance.
Less trouble the better.
basically i feel that the 1st impression must be CLEAN! they should at least have a hairdo..preferably no highlights or coloured hair (they should at least abandon the so called ah beng look or any image that resembles a rocker star or gothic)? these images or styles may be cool but if it's not carried out as it should be, it can actually have adverse effects! next is the attire, naturally an interviewee should dress appropriately. need not be ties or suits but at least presentable. if i'm the employer, i wouldn't want someone who comes in with pyjamas or shorts and slipers. it just doesn't show his/her sincerity.
Time to sum up arguments.
Lilian's group:
Important for the group to define from the start -- are the given enough chances "TO DO WHAT?"
1. To find a stable job
-- this is what everyone has been arguing so far. Yellow Ribbon has been started to help match them to jobs (correct me if i'm wrong)
But it seems that employers are shunning this. Am I right to say this? Or can you find evidence which says otherwise?
2. To help them adjust to life
Some research might have to be done for this. Many of them have been out of touch with society and need help.
3. To return to family life
Again, research has to be done for this. have they been given chances by their own family members?
This area might be extremely difficult to do research on. Let me know if you encounter problems.
personally, i feel that ex-convicts are not given enough chances. despite the yellow ribbon campaign, we can still see alot of ex-convicts jobless and despised. Though there's a saying a leopard never changes its spot, but a thief once is also not a thief forever. i still feel that these ex-convicts should be given a 2nd chance to prove that they have changed. humans are humans afterall. they do make mistakes. however, if they're really willing to change, they should be given a chance to prove themselves. i feel that some ex-convicts repeat their mistakes is maninly due to the fact that they find that the society is not able to accept them since they have made a mistake once. hence they ended up in jail again. but if they were accepted by the society despite being an ex-convict, they might really repent.
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I think that ex-convicts are not given enough chances, many people in the world are still not able to accept them. Everyone make mistakes. If they really turn over a new leaf, they should be forgiven. People should really change their mindset. As what Jasmin said "leopard never changes its spot, but a thief once is also not a thief forever."
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