| After working with hundreds of criminals in and out | | | | labeling people. Labels are very powerful in |
| of prison for over twenty years I believe that the | | | | determining a person's self image and therefore their |
| best way to reduce crime is to be involved with | | | | future. Whatever label is placed on a person will |
| them. | | | | determine how they think about themselves and |
| 1. Your relationship with them is the most important | | | | their behavior. Labeling is at the root of criminal |
| thing. It is necessary that it be positive. You must | | | | behavior. We become what we think we are. A child |
| see criminals as members of the human family. You | | | | in school is labeled a difficult child and is apt to wear |
| will not be of help to them if you view them through | | | | the label the rest of his/her life. If a person's label |
| the eyes of their crime. Remember each one is some | | | | changes, their thinking and behavior will change. |
| mother's son or daughter. Expect the relationship to | | | | Changing labels is not easy either for the one with |
| take some time to develop. Those who have been in | | | | the label or for those seeking to help change another |
| prison have a difficult time trusting others. We build | | | | person's label. The good news is that labels can be |
| relationship by sharing our history with each other. | | | | changed. |
| You must allow those who have been in prison to | | | | 3. Criminals and their families need to deal with a |
| share what they want when they want. Hopefully, in | | | | number of problem areas such as parenting skills, |
| time the relationship becomes the opportunity for | | | | anger management, marriage, and addictive behavior. |
| you to become their mentor. As a mentor you will | | | | Often these areas are interrelated. If one area |
| have real influence on them. They will want to be like | | | | changes they all change. People need to be |
| you. Your values will become their values. Remember | | | | encouraged to get the help they need to better deal |
| you teach others by your words and deeds. | | | | with their problems. |
| 2. Criminals and their families generally suffer from a | | | | If many of us will do these three things we will |
| poor self image. This is due to society's practice of | | | | reduce crime. |