Marginalized Crimes

Mrs. Gemp

English 101 Period 6

18 December 2012

Marginalization Crimes

After a person is released from prison, they are returned to society and are faced with a horde of problems, primarily discrimination. These former criminals are discriminated against because they are labeled as “ex-convicts.” In public, people who have this label are considered to be dangerous by the rest of society and are marginalized many ways because of it. According to CBSNews, more than forty percent of ex-cons return to prison. This happens because the criminals will return to the life that they were familiar with; which in some cases would be to once again commit the same crime for which they were originally convicted. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, because many are not treated fairly. When someone is labeled as an “ex-convict,” the public often views them as untrustworthy and dangerous. Most convicts are marginalized in society the moment that they leave prison no matter what crime they originally committed; whether it is a victimless crime such as prostitution, consuming or distributing drugs, and tax evasion, or those that affect others, such as murder, rape, assault, and the like. Even though these former criminals have paid their societal debt, the general public continues to assume that they are dishonest and dangerous people. While some may still be, many others that have been rehabilitated suffer as people are marginalizing these ex-convicts in the workplace, in public, and in their rights that everyday people have but they are refused.

In society today it is exceptionally difficult for any person to be able to find a job; however, it is even more difficult for an ex-offender to obtain one because of the label that they have received. When going into a job interview most people will try to look their best, have the best resume, and just be better than everyone else so that they have the best chance of being hired for the job. This is how criminals are marginalized...