Do I believe it's possible he's changed in 20 years? I have to. I have to believe people can change; can work to better themselves, can work to overcome their issues and move on with life.
And part of that is that I think ex-convicts needs to be given the chance.
I know that the US has a different view on punishment than we do in Denmark. Here, we believe that once you've done your time you are, in essense, an innocent once more. We focus on re-educating convicts (not that we're terribly good at it, so far), because we believe that most criminals don't actually get less criminal by being thrown in jail to rot. Most criminals get less criminal by being educated and helped to get a job.
This, of course, is not the case with every type of criminal, and works better with minor offences (violence, robbery and so on). And, obviously, not every criminal wants to give up their crimes. Rapists is a good example. Still. I do believe that most people, even those screwed up by their pasts, have the potential to become good people who don't want to hurt anyone. The few who don't... well. That's what mental institutions are for, isn't it?
So... To sum up. No, I wouldn't say my kid was in clear and present danger. The day she sees him looking in her window is a different story all together. Still doesn't mean I would shoot him, but I would definitely report it to the authorities.
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And part of that is that I think ex-convicts needs to be given the chance.
I know that the US has a different view on punishment than we do in Denmark. Here, we believe that once you've done your time you are, in essense, an innocent once more. We focus on re-educating convicts (not that we're terribly good at it, so far), because we believe that most criminals don't actually get less criminal by being thrown in jail to rot. Most criminals get less criminal by being educated and helped to get a job.
This, of course, is not the case with every type of criminal, and works better with minor offences (violence, robbery and so on). And, obviously, not every criminal wants to give up their crimes. Rapists is a good example. Still. I do believe that most people, even those screwed up by their pasts, have the potential to become good people who don't want to hurt anyone. The few who don't... well. That's what mental institutions are for, isn't it?
So... To sum up. No, I wouldn't say my kid was in clear and present danger. The day she sees him looking in her window is a different story all together. Still doesn't mean I would shoot him, but I would definitely report it to the authorities.