Bernard B. Kerik offer a sobering view of the criminal justice system. Even Kerik, a veteran of several conservative administrations, notes that his experiences in prison convinced him that prison does little to rehabilitate prisoners, only hardens them. He also notes that the presumption of prosecutors in the criminal justice system is that offenders are guilty, not innocent until proven guilty, and this often results in violations of defendants' rights. After his own corruption scandals, Kerik takes a more chastised and compassionate view of individuals who commit crimes, noting that many of them have grown up in environments which have set them up for failure, not success. However, as the title of the article indicates, Kerik is also seeking to capitalize upon his former reputation as a criminal justice professional as well as the knowledge he has gained from an insider's perspective as an inmate, indicating that to some degree his actions may be viewed as self-serving rather than altruistic. Unlike many people in prison, Kerik's crimes were not a result of social disadvantages or mental illness but rather the fact that he exploited his privileged position.References
Kilgannon, C. (2014). Kerik, out of prison and more subdued, seeks to rebuild his reputation. The New York Times. Retrieved...
When Mickens was a young man he was a successful drug dealer. He also showed a considerable entrepreneurial spirit, opening up a number of businesses which he used for the purposes of money laundering and, he said, to better the community where they were located. During his twenty years in prison, he gained an interest in physical fitness for the disabled. After being released, he used the entrepreneurial skills he had honed as a drug dealer for a higher purpose, creating a fitness business that catered to older adults. Mickens' example highlights how many criminals' experiences may not necessarily be evidence of a bad character, but rather their circumstances. It also highlights how educational initiatives and support can enable society as well as released offenders to benefit from their untapped skills. Today, Mickens has a loyal following of clients and few can believe that he lived the life he did before prison.
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