This is Essential if We are to Reform Our Criminals

  Thought this evening upon something that we should definitely be doing if we are to have any hope of reforming the criminal.
   And, it is something we are not doing, not as a prescribed method -- not as part of our sentencing, and not as a pronounced part of the prison experience.
   The criminal needs to obtain self worth. He or she needs to be doing something, needs to be achieving something that makes him or her feel worthwhile and gives a sense of accomplishment -- I think we call it a sense of pride. Would it be so wrong to have the sentencing offer up an endeavor that brings a sense of worth to that prisoner, or to make that part of every regular stay in prison, thus not needing to mandate it in the sentencing?
   Growing a nice little garden, searching the night sky with a telescope, becoming an expert on the Civil War -- there are many, many things a person can pursue to bring self worth. It is essential the convict be given this sense of accomplishment. He or she can hardly be expected to reform unless finding something bringing a worthy purpose to life.
   Ofttimes, people turn to crime because they lack such a purpose. They feel frustrated or rejected or worthless, so they fall into a life of crime. So, why would we not seek to correct that? Why would we not seek to instill such a foundation in their lives? Why would it not be part of the sentencing, or, if not part of the sentencing, part of every prison experience? If you don't follow the principles of reformation, you cannot expect as much success as when you do. Giving a person a purpose is one of those principles. It is a must.
   And, while some fall into crime for lack of purpose, others turn to crime to obtain purpose. They find in crime bravado, or they take pride in being able to commit the crimes, or glory in the lifestyle. If you are to take that away, you must replace it with something else.
   It is said, everyone needs a reason to believe.
   Surely, we cannot think to reform our criminals if we do not instill in them self value. Whereas now it is not a part of the sentencing, nor often part of many prison programs, it should be.