TEDx San Antonio: What three people taught me about life after incarceration

Formerly incarcerated individuals are still serving time once they are released from jail and prison. They get caught in the nebulous web of more than 40,000 “collateral consequences” that restricts access to stable housing and employment, makes voting difficult or impossible, and limits upward mobility. In other words, real freedom is an elusive experience for many formerly incarcerated people. The glue that holds this system together is a series of false narratives surrounding addiction and crime that justifies people’s judgment of ex-cons. Some people weaponize their compassion and empathy against ex-convicts because of the belief that they are still dangerous or beyond help. This lack of compassion stunts their growth and access to opportunities that can help them achieve the things “society” proposes one must achieve to be trustworthy. It’s a vicious cycle that can often lead criminals to re-offend and end up back in prison or jail. According to Easy Expunctions, about 700,000 people in Bexar County have a criminal record and state data shows the county sees a 34% three-year recidivism rate. How might we infuse more compassion in our communities to give ex-convicts a safe place to land and thrive?

TEDx San Antonio: What three people taught me about life after incarceration

Formerly incarcerated individuals are still serving time once they are released from jail and prison. They get caught in the nebulous web of more than 40,000 “collateral consequences” that restricts access to stable housing and employment, makes voting difficult or impossible, and limits upward mobility. In other words, real freedom is an elusive experience for many formerly incarcerated people. The glue that holds this system together is a series of false narratives surrounding addiction and crime that justifies people’s judgment of ex-cons. Some people weaponize their compassion and empathy against ex-convicts because of the belief that they are still dangerous or beyond help. This lack of compassion stunts their growth and access to opportunities that can help them achieve the things “society” proposes one must achieve to be trustworthy. It’s a vicious cycle that can often lead criminals to re-offend and end up back in prison or jail. According to Easy Expunctions, about 700,000 people in Bexar County have a criminal record and state data shows the county sees a 34% three-year recidivism rate. How might we infuse more compassion in our communities to give ex-convicts a safe place to land and thrive?

TEDx San Antonio: What three people taught me about life after incarceration

Formerly incarcerated individuals are still serving time once they are released from jail and prison. They get caught in the nebulous web of more than 40,000 “collateral consequences” that restricts access to stable housing and employment, makes voting difficult or impossible, and limits upward mobility. In other words, real freedom is an elusive experience for many formerly incarcerated people. The glue that holds this system together is a series of false narratives surrounding addiction and crime that justifies people’s judgment of ex-cons. Some people weaponize their compassion and empathy against ex-convicts because of the belief that they are still dangerous or beyond help. This lack of compassion stunts their growth and access to opportunities that can help them achieve the things “society” proposes one must achieve to be trustworthy. It’s a vicious cycle that can often lead criminals to re-offend and end up back in prison or jail. According to Easy Expunctions, about 700,000 people in Bexar County have a criminal record and state data shows the county sees a 34% three-year recidivism rate. How might we infuse more compassion in our communities to give ex-convicts a safe place to land and thrive?