The Steps of Repentance and the Prisoner Who Could Use Them

   If remorse is a step to overcoming sin, isn't it also a step to reforming a person of criminal conduct? And, is there anything society can do to encourage remorse when the prisoner is in jail?

   One thing might be to have the prisoner learn about the victim, learning about the needs, the good works, and the dreams of that victim, all in hope the criminal might recognize the harm he has done. The criminal needn't be given details he doesn't already have, such as where the victim lives. Also, the criminal could be given case histories from other similar crimes, showing how harm was done.

   If the idea is to reform the criminal, it seems the criminal needs to repent. If so, what of the steps of repentance: (1.) feeling remorse, (2.) offering a confession, (3.) asking for forgiveness, (4.) rectifying the harm, as much as possible, and (5.) not repeating the crime. If these are true principles, it seems they should be used to help reform criminals.