Last night I watched 'A Hard Name" - a documentary by Alan Zweig. In this film Alan Zweig interviews a number of ex-convicts about their experiences in jail, and their lives before and after jail. It was an absolutely riveting documentary that kept me up way past my regular bedtime.
In the introduction to the film, the commentator expressed surprise that all of the interviewees had been subjected to sexual abuse as children. I was surprised that he was surprised! But this is because I have spent over a decade immersed in the stories of adults who had suffered from some form of sexual or physical abuse as children.
In my opinion, Zweig's film is a must-see before anyone can really develop policy regarding crime. Is the 'tough on crime' approach with its accompanying building of jails, tougher sentences and cutting of re-integration programs really the right approach? Is this the best way to help people avoid a life of dysfunction after childhoods filled with deprivation and abuse?
Before judging, see the child in pain within the convict. Then figure out what to do. Otherwise risk cyclical dysfunction and social pain that is linked to the historic abuses suffered by the most vulnerable in our society - the children.
No comments:
Post a Comment