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How many people do you know who are in prison or who are ex-convicts?

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datasuspect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 12:46 PM
Original message
Poll question: How many people do you know who are in prison or who are ex-convicts?
What does this say about anything in particular for you?
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Burma Jones Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:01 PM
Response to Original message
1. You forgot to include dead on account of Criminal Activity....
I know one guy doing at least 20 years for dealing Cocaine. He sold the Coke to Brian Tribble that killed Len Bias. We haven't kept in touch. Last I heard, the IRS was after him too.

A friend of a friend was busted with over 100 Marijuana plants in his basement, I don't know the disposition of that case

A friend from High School was found with his hands, feet and mouth duct taped and shot in the back of the head as a result of his dealing large amounts of weed....

Another friend from High School was shot and killed by police after he had killed his girl friend....he enjoyed the PCP

A guy that I used to supervise, he had an MBA from UNC, first raped and beat up a cleaning woman in our office, she was undocumented and fled the area before he could be charged. Later, but before we could get rid of him, he stabbed a drug dealer to death and was sentenced to 30 to life. He enjoyed the Crack Cocaine.


Nobody I've known in the last 15 years has been in any sort of trouble...


I suppose it speaks to a moderately mis-spent youth, I was often shown a dark path that I didn't take......
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DonEBrook Donating Member (506 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. With a few fairly minor revisions, that story would reflect my own experiences.
:scared:
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exboyfil Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 07:40 PM
Response to Reply #1
20. Three
Two relatives in prison for fraud, and my old debate partner in prison for non-custodial kidnapping of his kid.
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Liberal In Texas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:08 PM
Response to Original message
3. Since you put it in present tense, none. In the past I have known ex-cons
and people who have gone to prison. One for murdering his wife.

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livetohike Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:10 PM
Response to Original message
4. I think it says that I have met many people in my life
The ex-cons I know were busted for drugs decades ago and served their time. I know one guy who was in special forces in the army, flipped out at home one day and shot and killed four of his neighbors from the roof of his parent's house (this was in the 70's). There are more ex-cons (varying crimes) that I know through living all over the U.S., working with and volunteering with many different people....
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old mark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:14 PM
Response to Original message
5. I used to do drug/alcohol counseling with ex-cons, but I haven't
been aware of knowing any for years now.
(I don't get out much anymore, though.)

mark
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Shiver Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:15 PM
Response to Original message
6. I work with a couple of ex-cons
My direct superior is one, and until recently still had to wear an ankle bracelet
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mondo joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:16 PM
Response to Original message
7. Several of my cousins were cons or ex-cons growing up, but I haven't seen
them in decades so I went with not knowing any.
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psychmommy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 01:29 PM
Response to Original message
8. it shows that i have a large family and i work in the
criminal justice field.
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Mnemosyne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 02:05 PM
Response to Original message
9. Know? I 'know' many, live in a small town. You need to specify if
it is up close and personal, data. It insinuates that if you know some, you are scum. jmho

I don't hang out with any criminals, these days, but in a small town...

I have old friends that did time for weed long ago. Good people.
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. "It insinuates that if you know some, you are scum."
Huh?
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Mnemosyne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 07:41 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. It was poorly worded. n/t
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #21
22. Well...could you translate? eom
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Mnemosyne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 03:57 PM
Response to Reply #22
25. Why do you care one iota? n/t
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 10:54 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. Well now I'm definitely curious. So...what did you mean? eom
Edited on Thu Dec-04-08 10:55 PM by varkam
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Mnemosyne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-05-08 11:33 AM
Response to Reply #27
32. It sounded insulting if you know ex-cons. Simply that, varkam. n/t
:)
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noonwitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 02:06 PM
Response to Original message
10. I've been a social worker for 21 years, I know lots of both.
they tend to need social workers when they get out.
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greguganus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 02:07 PM
Response to Original message
11. You forgot to add how many of us on here are ex-cons. n/t
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Fleshdancer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 02:12 PM
Response to Original message
12. I've only met one ex-con (that I know of)
He's a great guy who did stupid things when he was younger.
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TrogL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 02:29 PM
Response to Original message
13. My sponsor is an ex-con
I go to AA meetings in a rough part of town.
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Blue_In_AK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 03:03 PM
Response to Original message
14. Many of both over the years.
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qb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 03:08 PM
Response to Original message
15. An ex-con leads my addiction recovery group. He's a great guy.
:hi:
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HamdenRice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 03:09 PM
Response to Original message
17. A bunch of both. Then again, I live in New York City. nt
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pinto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 03:13 PM
Response to Original message
18. I know a couple of ex-cons. Both off parole now, working, clean, in relationships.
It can be done. One took a few tries (repeat offender) before he got tired of the revolving door,
one was a one-timer.
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RushIsRot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 04:29 PM
Response to Original message
19. My lady-friend's son is an ex-con and her brother is currently in prison.
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Cerridwen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 10:07 PM
Response to Original message
23. I think, in particular, it says I've known all sorts of people in my time
on this planet.

It also says I've worked in leftist political circles which included such, nowadays outmoded, ideas as prisoners' rights, de-criminalizing prostitution, de-criminalizing drugs, pro-peace, and repeal of the death penalty, among others.

It's amazing what things people can wind up in jail/prison for; especially with our drug laws. A few more years of the Patriot Act and it'll be hard to find a political protester in the US who isn't an ex-con.

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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-08 10:08 PM
Response to Original message
24. None.
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annabanana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 10:56 PM
Response to Reply #24
29. (as far as you know, right?). . . n/t
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quiller4 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 04:02 PM
Response to Original message
26. I directed a transitional house for ex-offenders
until I retired three years ago. I still correspond with a number of inmates and mentor two ex-offenders. I count as friends three female offenders and at least 30 ex-offenders are friendly acquaintances.
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annabanana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 10:56 PM
Response to Original message
28. I don't know whether I do or not.. . I might.. ..
I just never thought to ask. I figure I shouldn't be the one to bring up the possibility. .
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Roon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-04-08 11:23 PM
Response to Original message
30. I have a buddy that was a meth addict in the late 80's
He used to go with his friend to the ski resorts and break into cars and steal tape decks, speakers, etc. My friend's buddy owned an autobody shop and they used to steal cars for parts for the business. My friend studied a VW jetta car door and trained himself to be able to open any jetta with a little screw driver. When he walked up to the car he would pop the lock like he had a key and never drew attention to himself.

Well, the cops at Keystone ski resort got sick of being ripped off so they set out a couple of "bait" cars loaded down with goodies and waited and watched. Sure enough, my friend and his buddy took the bait and the cops were on them in no time flat. They tried to get away. First they flew down the pass to get to the interstate and was greeted with a roadblock. So they u-turned and headed back up to the ski resort. They got to the resort and there was even more cops so the turned back around to ram the roadblock. When they got back to the road block the cops opened fire with their 12 gauge shotguns into the car. My friend took several BBs into his torso and chest. Right after that they crashed and flew down a mountain side.The driver wasn't hurt, but my buddy's kneecap was knocked off and he lost his ankle. My buddy was in the hospital for 6 months and was on home detention in a wheel chair for a year before he got sentenced for his crime.

He served three years and came out a different person. He married his girlfriend,had two kids ,got a job..did his UAs and now he is free and clear. He has been straight for 20 years now..all he does now is drink beer and smoke weed..no more "go fast"..he turned out to be a real decent man.
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-05-08 01:00 AM
Response to Original message
31. All of those I know who have been inside...
...were put there due to unjust drug laws.
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