Journal Entry #6

Yanna Sanchez

Ms. Nargiza Matyakuboya

English 21003. Section M

19 October 2017

Journal Entry #6

Rehabilitation

            Reading the article about Michelle Jones, I was in shock.  Jones story caused me to do a little research into the controversy of Nature vs. Nurture; I did not understand why someone can be abused and turn around and abuse their own child.  I read that it is unclear how much of someone’s personality is due to their DNA, it in codes physical attributes and may include personality traits from one’s parents.  Reading this article allowed me to understand that just maybe because of Jones early life trauma and anything but nurturing upbringing has influenced her decisions.  However, she has paid her dues to society, and should move forward with her life growing from her mistakes and making better choices in the future.  In comparison to Stanley Andrisse’s situation he too has paid his debt to society and was discriminated against based on his unfortunate past.  He says how these great universities are missing out on great talent because they refuse to acknowledge that rehabilitation is possible.  However, removing the felony box on applications seems pointless to me because they run a background check anyway, at least a few lines are provided to explain his or her situation on the application.  From these examples the justice system seems to have accomplished all its set out to do. These two individuals committed a crime, were in prisoned for it, became educated, and are now reformed individuals, and were still emitted to great universities.  It may just be a coincidence that they were rejected by many universities, but there are also people who have done everything right in their academic pursuits and are also rejected from these same universities.  I find it hard to believe that they were simply rejected without thoughtful consideration.

            As far as punishments go I feel that the justice system is doing the best they can, based on what they have to work with.  I do believe that punishments are in accordance with the law; the jury, chosen from the public, decides whether the individual is innocent or not.