Cons Helping Cons | Convicts Helping Convicts | Comments & Questions

Does the title of this article make you feel safe? How could you when you know that most offenders are eventually released back into society. However here in Canada CSC’s budget to incarcerate offenders is 97% strong.

Most government officials will tell you when asked, especially by the media that rehabilitating type programs exist and are in full force in the prison system. Here is what they do not tell you. In Canada we have a number of policies good and bad. One is called fast-tracking in the prison system, meaning for non-violent offenders you could be out in 1/6 of your time on parole. The problem with this one is becoming very clear, there is not enough time for them to get the required programs, counseling, etc before they are released back into society. Then there are long term offenders that are going to be inside the prison for awhile. When do you think that rehabilitating programs should start for them? If you said what most people say or think, it would be right away or within the first six months. However you could not be more wrong. If you are an offender and going to be released on parole, it is very common for your case management team to not even think about providing the programs till a year before release. Often what happens they cannot get you into all the programs required, due to scheduling issues and problems with having more offenders who need the program then available spaces? For example the program may run 2-3 times per year and be able to handle up to 20 offender seats at a time. The only problem is there could be in the hundreds waiting for this program, and most of them are soon to be released, so the majority of them will be released without the required help. Most of you reading this will ask yourself the question why don’t they just offer more programs? Well it is a little hard to do when only 3% of the budget is allotted to this, the money is not there to hire qualified professional or provide the extra programming required.

Prisons only educate most offenders to become better criminals and these much needed programs and counseling is often the only thing standing in the way of them re-offending when released. Studies show that successful reintegration back into society, consist of proper programming, counseling, support and a structured gradual release and to despite all the proof in this area. Often offenders are released with less then what is required or recommend by professionals and inadequate resources by a system that puts a number on your public safety.

How do you feel that your elected officials only think your public safety is worth 3%?


Here are some tidbits of information and facts: Source http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/rpt/annrpt/annrpt20072008-eng.aspx

According to the National Parole Board, the proportion of inmates released from federal institutions at the end of their sentences, with no prior parole, increased from 66 percent in 2002/03 to 73 percent in 2006/07.

With a budget of $1.8 billion, the CSC allocated only $37 million in 2006/07 for core programming—one of the key elements of its legislative mandate. That represents approximately 2 percent of its total budget.

From 1994-1995 to 2006-2007 latest that is available, the average annual cost of maintaining offenders has increased from $36,731 to $74,261.

In order to answer that question and be fair the answer would be yes and no. Yes in the sense it gets more votes and it appeals to society moral dilemma of right and wrong, punishment, etc. This is without a doubt, why here in Canada the Harper government is embracing tough-on-crime policies. Harper makes it sound like he really cares about you, and you are best served by locking up offenders for as long as possible. They are trying to push bills through even though crime rates in Canada has been falling steadily since the early ’90s and are now at their lowest level in 25 years. To despite the recent headlines of gang violence and other isolated issues, crime has actual gone down under the previous government.

In the next election if the Harper government is voted in with a majority and they have no opposition to stop them, I fear what the outcome will be. Here is the reason why, in the United States this method has only produced record levels of incarceration, huge taxpayer costs and overcrowded prisons. It has not increased public safety one bit; in fact the opposite has happen. Citizens are more worried about their safety than ever before; you would think the United States public would be safer as a result of this movement, but not so they are now less safe as a result of this movement.

We know from studies and other counties learned lessons that tough on crime polices really do not work, so why would Harper or any self respecting party campaign on them? It is simple, the majority of the population think this is the answer to despite all evidence to the contrary, and it makes the public feel like something is being done. So the majority run out and vote for them.

“Tough on Crime polices” are much like Drugs are to an addict, they make you feel are warm and fuzzy at first, but the side effects could be devastating.

We know from studies, statics and for some of us firsthand experience that some programs success rates are very high when applied correctly. I am speaking of programs like Circles of Support, Restorative Justice, Life Line, which help and assist offenders upon release. These programs have over 90% success rates and decrease future victims.

However I am told almost every day that sex offenders cannot be helped and they have impulses that they cannot control. I wonder where they derive these stereotypical thoughts, when in reality Circles of Support has proven them wrong in over 90% of the offenders they work with. I am also told on regular basics that people fear most the murders that are released back into our society. I find that puzzling as more than 95% of them never commit another violent offense and the percentages are higher for ones who are released on the Faint Hope Clause.

How can you judge a program based on the failure rate? Society seems to do this rather well and demands a review and cries for public safety every time one offender fails. However, have you ever considered what would happen if these programs and avenues of help were not available? I am almost certain you have not, and why would I be so bold to assume that, one may ask? Well it is simple you are way too busy being part of the problem, criticizing, denying ex-offenders possible employment, housing and any assistance that may be in your control to prohibit them from. Keeping them out of your community is a full time job, with all the letter writing to the elected officials, complaining and spreading as many rumors as one can behind an offenders back, takes a lot of your time. In fact it takes so much of your time you have none left to actually help, only to be part of the problem.

The next time you want to judge a program, volunteers or any offender that makes a mistake in your area. Perhaps you should ask yourself, was there anything I could have done to prevent that? Could I have volunteered and been part of one of these programs, as they are always looking for more volunteers. Could I have just befriended this person and asked him/her how they were doing? The sad part is most of you never will, because all your time is taken up by being part of the problem.

I once listened to a coach tell the players of a hockey team that it was not the goalie that let the other team score, it was the whole team who let that happen.

Often the general pubic is never asked what there concerns are in regards to crime, ex-cons, parole, etc. We often only hear about it when a story breaks on the news. However, everyone seems to have an opinion on this topic and yet no one seems to want to tell me on this site. Having gone through a lot of hardships and troubles in my life I am quite able to handle positive as well as negative comments, or ones that disagree with my way of thinking. So by all means, please tell me your concerns or fears about the ex-cons, parole, justice system, etc.

We cannot fix or mend anything if some people are unwilling to talk about it. We need to shine a light on an all too often “taboo topic”.

Do you think Marijuana should be decriminalized or possibly legalized? I have heard many arguments in favor of this move and also some good ones not in favor. However what is your opinion on the topic.

Please tell us what you think.

The Conservative Party of Canada has proposed new drug legislation that includes mandatory prison sentences for non-violent offenders. If passed, the laws would significantly increase jail time for adults caught possessing, selling, or growing marijuana, and would introduce extreme penalties like six-months imprisonment for producing as little as a single plant.

• This proposed law will only target people, who are not really criminals, many people who smoke up, work full time and pay taxes.
• A youth who has never committed a crime could end up in prison or jail for experimenting with Marijuana, something almost all of us have done at one time or another. Exposing him/her to real criminals and socializing them into a lifestyle that will only promote crime
• Often it is said that Marijuana is a gateway drug, however if it was decriminalized this argument would not even exist, and the only reason why it does is lack of understanding in the first place.
• The government must crack down on organized crime and I agree, however cracking down on the casual use of Marijuana is like cracking down on people for downloading movies online. Is it wrong? Yes but I do not think we should fill our jails and prisons with them.
• It will give people a criminal record that should not otherwise have one.


Here are some quotes from the Vancouver Sun:

• Under Canada's proposed new drug laws, an 18-year-old who shares a joint with a 17-year-old friend could end up in jail.
• The Harper government's bill to impose Canada's first mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug crimes -- removing judges' sentencing discretion -- has come under intense scrutiny in public hearings, which began last week.
• Several witnesses have warned the House of Commons justice committee the proposed legislation will fill jails with drug addicts rather than drug kingpins.
• The Conservative government proposes to automatically jail dealers and growers at a time when several American states, most recently New York, have retreated from mandatory minimum sentences, saying they are a glaring symbol of the failed U.S. war on drugs and merely overcrowd jails.


If there was ever a time I would like to encourage Canadians to get out and vote it would be the next election, this Government should never be allowed to get a majority. I would hate to see what would happen to our great county if they were in total control, we would have half the citizens in jail and the other half watching them.

Would you date an Ex-con?

I have to admit in preparation for this question I did a search for it and read some of the comments, and while it was a bit painful. However also not very truthful either, and in many cases were stereotypes and really off the wall beliefs. To be honest I have found most woman, at least in my case can understand and accept me once they are willing to listen and take sometime to get to know me. However what I find as an ex-con is that almost all women can forgive me for being an ex-con and having a criminal past, however they cannot forgive me for being poor. So what does that really say?

So would you date an ex-con? Lets assume for the sake of this post that we are talking about ex-cons who have been crime free and have been doing well for around 3 years or more

I do not want to comment on this section, as my opinion here really doesn’t matter. If you are an employer, would you hire an ex-con? If you’re not an employer would you hire anyone with a criminal record, if you could?

I will however say this in the last 10 plus years I have been seeking employment after my release from prison, of all the interviews I have had, every one of the employers that required a criminal background check prior to obtaining employment with them. I was turned down for, 100% of employers that I have meant would not hire me.

What is your opinion on the subject?

Who is most effected by the recession and economic down turn? The answer may seem obvious and we all assume it is the lower income brackets, however just because someone is of a lower income doesn’t in anyway suggest they well contribute to criminal activity like some may insinuate. One drawback for the lower income brackets is that they are very often the first ones to be laid off, or suffer the consequences of a recession. However there is a very real spin off from that effect, and a possible concern, the majority of people who are lower to middle class income, make up about 80% of the contributors of donations too support groups, organizations, non profit groups, self help support groups, food banks, etc. As money gets tight or the fear of it, we tend to look inward and cut out spending, thus these organizations that help the less unfortunate, ex-cons, homeless, food banks, etc. will suffer, and the recipients of there help is were I think the rise in crime will be most pronounced. Mostly petty theft, and some rise in violent crimes, if the recession persists past a year or more. Normal working people are just going to find another job, and persist in that; I do not see a significant rise in normal working class people (low income or not, with no prior criminal background) resorting to crime because they were laid off or otherwise.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government introduced legislation to harden penalties for gang-related violence and organized crime.
Murders connected to organized crime will trigger automatic first-degree murder charges under the bill. First-degree murder convictions carry a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The bill will also set minimum sentences for “drive-by” shootings.

The problem with any law or any new legislation that vows to get tuff on anything usually ends up having little or no effect on the actual reduction of the crime it intends to deter the offender from. Government is simply only appeasing too the fear of the public, and it is nothing more then attempt to make themselves look good in the eyes of society. The public is fearful and concerned for their safety and rightfully so with the gang violence in many areas of Canada. However these new laws to get tough on Gang Violence will have little or no effect. The truth of the matter is that most gang related killing are first degree murder anyways and if there is enough evidence the offender will be convicted of that crime regardless. Redefining the laws will have no actual effect on evidence, or how the offender is prosecuted under the law.

No gang member involved in any violent act or gang related killings, they will not be thinking in his/her head about the consequences of their actions, they are simply more concerned about the code of ethics their gang and friends believe in. Their ideas of right and wrong differ from the normal person. If you want a real deterrent it starts with prevention and making sure no youth end up belonging to a gang. Once they do end up in a gang there are different ways in which this can be handled.

Creating tough on crime laws for gangs in Canada, will only do one thing, the courts will be able to charge them with their crime after it is commented (just like they did prior to these new laws). It will not prevent one crime from happing, other steps need to be taken for this action to happen.

Society, meaning you the average person, what are your opinions on ex-cons, convicted felons, or person not found guilty of a crime? I am not asking you what is your opinion is on serial killers or criminals that keep re-offending or gang bangers. I am asking you what is your line of thinking on a person who makes a mistake (or a few,) goes to prison and comes out and does well for a period of time. Does he/she deserve a chance? What if the crime was murder or manslaughter? Do you automatically have a stereotyped judgment? Is every ex-con the same? Do you have someone in your family or a friend that has committed an offence?

I wanted to open this article up for comments, I would like to hear your ideas and opinions on the topic. Please just be honest and say what you really feel or think. I would just ask you express yourself in a tasteful manner.

The article can be read in full click here http://www.conshelpingcons.com/responsibility-your-crime-society.html

Please leave comments

Fear can also hinder your success of making a real life on the outside of prison. Regardless of how much you hate incarceration or the guards telling you what to do everyday, when faced with the idea life is your own, it can create a lot fear and apprehension. Even if you only stayed in jail or prison for a short time it is normal to have some of these emotions upon leaving and making a change. It seems the more serious you are about living a crime free life the more fear you seem to have. I recall not being able to sleep many nights prior to getting released. Nightmares of getting out and losing my parole and being sent back to prison. Terrified that I would not be able to handle the stress or give in to temptations that would lead me back to prison.

When I first arrived at the halfway house, I was called down to meet the person in charge. She was not my parole officer but the supervisor of the house. I didn’t even see the outside of the place at that point other then to get out of car to go into the halfway house. She asked me how I was, and I was truthful with her. I was scared and worried that something out my control would happen and I would be sent back. She explained it was normal and was not as worried about me as some of the other ones there. I learned a number of things that day, when you don’t bullshit people and just be honest; they are very willing to help you. I was honest with them the whole way through my stay there and they were a great help to me. I earned there trust, and kept there trust by not abusing it, as many do. I talked a lot to my support group and they even help me meet more people who would be there for me.

With many people helping me I learned to embrace the fear and it became a motivator, towards a better life for me. Fear can be excellent in helping you, or you can let it get the best of you. Prison life teaches you not to trust, watch your back, and become the best con artist you can be. So sometimes going against the grain is going to feel unusual. I have some good news for you, if you are about to be released or have been and your scared as hell, your in the best place you can be.

What will you do with your fear?

Here is a topic any x-con usually doesn’t like to discuss, however it is something that needs to be brought up. Quite often we feel doing certain jobs or require tasks are somehow beneath us. We feel we are better than the rest of the world and there is something special about us. We often feel embarrassed when our old friends see us working at a job that we consider demoralizing, or hanging out with new friends that they do not approve of. Day after day of living in a cell, confined to only the thoughts of your mind and other negative influences, over time conditions you to this way of thinking. Prison from the moment you enter it is much like a pecking order and you have to fight to not be on the bottom of that order, and it is always at the expense of others in order to accomplish this. Most did not get themselves in prison because they had a great attitude to begin with, if you think back it was often this self inflated feeling of pride and that you deserve so much better then others that lead you there.

Pride can be a powerful tool and emotion used in the right way, however most x-cons do not know how to do that. So the term “Swallowing your Pride” is quite applicable here. Most of us do not need to rise above on this topic; most of us have to come down to earth. The world doesn’t center around you, nor does anyone owe you anything. You owe society a huge debt, which you cannot pay.

One of the biggest mistakes anyone released from prison or jail is PRIDE. Thinking that someone owes you something, or that there are some jobs beneath you, that you’re somehow better then others. You will need to lose that attitude very quickly in order to survive on the outside. Society does not view you anything like you view yourself it is quite the opposite. It is up to you to prove yourself, it is up to you to make your chances, and it is up to you repay your debt. How does one repay a debt to society, it requires time, and over that time you do not commit anymore crime. You work hard to be a law abiding citizen, it is the only way the debt can be repaid over time.

You cannot deal in realms of what is fair, life is not fair and adults know this, children do not. If we were treated fairly for our crimes most of us would not be here, that is a reality you need to grasp. You’re not the knight in shinning armor that is going to save the day; you’re just another fucking asshole that got out of prison. I struggled with this way of thinking for some time. It is time for you to grow up and be a real man or woman.

Pride will only lead you back to prison, jail or death.