Rehabilitation Matters

In the U.S. many prisons have "correctional" in their title. I am at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women. I came in at 21, now 40+ years later turned 62.

As far back as 1986, when a parole officer put together a PSI (presentence Investigation) report, I was lied to believe that rehabilitation matters, rehabilitation counts, rehabilitation gets a second chance. Not true here in Kentucky so far.

Doesn't rehabilitate mean to reestablish, repair, mend, revitalize, grow, improve....? I promise you I have spent 40+ years constructing a life of purpose, amends; yet know I cannot restore some things.

Rehabilitation has no release date in my life as of yet. Doesn't forgiveness, second looks, fair consideration apply to rehabilitation?

Parole boards in many cases are not considering rehabilitation even though our criminal justice system ius supposedly based on it. Can clear conduct, hundreds of programs, education, keeping full time jobs, mentoring, family and  community city support get a second look?

What happens to a second chance when someone spends decades demonstrating rehabilitation, living rehabilitation, being an example of growth, change, I am sliding it and stressing it to others inside and outside prison walls? death by Incarceration has been the Kentucky parole board answer.

My life is as call for second chances, second look laws, humane treatment of my family and  community, and freedom for people who have demonstrated transformation four decades noir just a short time.

This is Karen, a good example of when rehabilitation should matter!