Criminal punishment turns out to have an impact that we may have never imagined. People who have been suspects in a case carry more than just legal punishment; This can even eliminate the public rights they have and also the rights in society that many people often take for granted, this includes understanding what it means to be a criminal and what criminals should not do.
By looking more deeply into the rights that are lost after they are legally convicted, we will be able to understand all the consequences that will be faced by those who have been found guilty of committing serious crimes.
What is Meant by Loss of Rights?
Loss of rights is a consequence that occurs to both individuals and groups who have been convicted of committing a serious crime. When a defendant has fulfilled his sentence in prison and has received his mandatory parole after facing charges imposed by a judge, for example, murder, possession of drugs, to domestic violence, people may later think that his debt to the surrounding community has been paid in full.
But unfortunately, every state has and enforces additional penalties for those who are already facing incarceration. This means that an individual will also be able to lose legal rights related to civil liberties, such as the right to vote, eligibility for certain jobs, or obtaining a permit to own a weapon.
What Rights Do Convicted Felons Deprive?
So, there are several rights for convicted criminals that are specifically removed. So, what rights do you lose when you are found guilty of committing a serious crime? A criminal can indeed lose many rights regarding his or her children, as well as their ability to travel, and much more. Although this is not a complete list of things that a criminal should not do, this article will probably give an idea of the impact that a criminal sentence can have.
1. Losing the Right to Vote
Even though the perpetrators of this crime have served their sentences, this does not mean they can get their rights back like society in general. Many criminals end up losing their right to vote. This is known in the United States as revocation of voting rights for felons. Of course, not all states in the United States have these kinds of policies, as each state has different policies regarding voting rights.
Several states will never revoke voting rights for criminals, such as Maine and Vermont. States like Iowa, and Florida restore the voting rights of felons after they have completed their prison terms. This also includes parole and probation.
In contrast to states like Kentucky and Virginia, they only restore voting rights through pardons granted by the Governor or the courts alone.
This policy, which is considered controversial, has indeed given rise to various kinds of quite deep debate, especially at the national level. Especially regarding what those who have been deemed to have committed crimes, whether serious or not, should not do after they have been declared free.
Many critics ultimately argue that things like this would be very contrary to the main ideals of democracy because this would directly silence the rights that every citizen has.
On the other hand, people who support the revocation of this right have the opinion that people who commit criminal acts are people who violate the sense of trust held by society, so this will create an uncomfortable feeling and make criminals lose their voting rights.
2. Revocation of License to Possess Weapons
One of the rights that criminals are usually deprived of is that they will be deprived of the right to own firearms. The federal law created in 1968 prohibits the possession of firearms for anyone involved in and proven to have committed a serious crime, with a prison term of more than one year. However, there are differences in this prohibition depending on the laws of the state itself.
States such as California and New York have banned the ownership of firearms for those convicted of a crime for the rest of their lives, with only a few exceptions.
However, it is different from Minnesota and Texas. Both states continue to grant firearms permits to criminals, for a certain period, usually for five years after they have completed their prison term. However, this also depends on the behavior they have after punishment.
States such as Vermont and New Hampshire themselves offer much more lenient laws, these two states generally only require possession of firearms while the perpetrator of this crime is in prison.
This law is also very important to help carry out gun control and is also a much broader judicial reform. However, on the one hand, some supporters argue that these restrictions will protect society by preventing dangerous criminals from gaining access to firearms.
However, on the contrary, critics themselves have the opinion that this law violates constitutional rights and can inadvertently impact criminals who have not committed serious crimes, even after they have served their prison term.
In the end, this dichotomy highlights a very complex intersection between public safety, the freedom that an individual has, and also justice in the firearms discourse that is currently taking place in America.
3. Lost Opportunities to Work
Finding work will be a very big challenge for people who have committed crimes. This is due to society’s growing prejudice against people who have committed crimes. There are many employers, who ultimately hesitate to hire people with criminal records.
Many people ultimately have problems with their sense of trust, and also with the responsibility that will be given to the perpetrators of the crime themselves. In several cases that have occurred, the law only prohibits criminals from working in the fields of law enforcement and education.
However, there are various initiatives currently underway to help overcome this type of problem. This initiative itself recommends eliminating questions about criminal history when applying for work.
Then, there is also a program called Federal Bonding, which will provide an insurance company that can be claimed if potential losses occur which are later caused by dishonesty of employees, who do have a track record with criminal acts.
Then there is also another federal program that offers a tax credit, to employers or company owners who are willing to hire ex-felons or criminals.
This activity itself provides a stepping stone for former criminals to be able to re-socialize with society and also helps them to get jobs and leave their dark past behind.
4. Loss of Access to Public Facilities and Housing
These former criminals often have great difficulty getting public housing, because usually getting public housing has very strict eligibility criteria. Typically, many housing service providers will disqualify individuals who do have a criminal record.
In addition, they will also lose their rights related to public facilities and benefits, such as food stamps, welfare payments will be limited and may even be denied, due to a criminal record or crime.
Of course, the existence of these kinds of prohibitions will only create a vicious circle, where former criminals who are no longer able to meet their basic needs, will have a very high potential to return to crime or criminal activities. This is tantamount to making the cycle of crime continue to grow and develop in society.
5. Loss Parental Rights
For criminals who already have children, usually they will also lose custody of their children, because of the crimes they have committed. In various jurisdictions, criminal convictions that are related to violence or drugs can have a very negative and negative impact on a person, especially for those who maintain custody of their children.
Apart from that, usually, the adoption agency will also carry out a thorough background check, where later criminal records, especially those involving violence against children or domestic violence, can become an obstacle to adoption.
Things like this are of course very important to ensure the safety of the child as well as to see the individual’s ability to carry out reform and also maintain good relationships with the family after the sentence that has been given.
6. Loss of Right to Travel
One of the rights that will be revoked from people with criminal records is their ability to travel. For ex-felons, traveling is something that is a very difficult challenge, because of the restrictions imposed on them during their probation period or when they are paroled, this usually applies to domestic travel.
Then, on the same occasion, there was also very strict supervision for former criminals who were going to travel internationally. There is very strict control at the border, so people with criminal records will usually refuse. This will ultimately hinder the opportunity for a former criminal to become a better person and professional.
7. Loss of Rights and Opportunities to Get Education
Drug-related violations will usually be a limitation for someone to get a scholarship. Of course, this will also hinder the ability of former criminals to obtain appropriate higher education. However, with the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program, there is still hope for former criminals to obtain higher education. Of course, this is expected to be an initial step in opening up opportunities for very effective socializing after completing the sentence.
Those are some things that ex-felons or convicts can’t do. Of course, this information can provide benefits to you regarding what ex-felons can and cannot do. However, there are also several things that society can do to have a positive impact to help these prisoners return to society and become better people.
Strategies for Rehabilitation and Reintegration into Society
These are some of the things that society can do to help these prisoners to have a much better life than before so that they can maximize their potential and function well in society.
1. Providing Training to Sharpen Your Skills
One of the things society can do for prisoners is to provide them with training aimed at helping them explore their potential and hone their existing skills. This is important, because that way, these prisoners will have good enough skills, so they can find suitable work and can also help them break the chain of crime. With the community’s role in providing this training, former criminals can return to socializing with other communities more easily.
2. Opening Job Opportunities
One of the things society can do for these ex-criminals is to provide job opportunities. By opening job vacancies that accept former criminals, the community has contributed to the welfare of other people and freed them from the cycle of crime. By having a job, these prisoners can have a better life, and help them to have a higher quality life.
3. Not Isolating Former Criminal Perpetrators
One of the things that society must also understand well is not to ostracize former perpetrators of these crimes. However, they are also human beings who need help and the local community will play a very important role in providing support to them so that they can return to socializing with the surrounding community.
How to Regain the Rights of a Felon
Indeed, there are still several rights that criminals can later regain after they have finished serving their prison term are released from prison, and have also completed their probation period. Of course, the rights that ex-felons can later regain will be determined by each state. For example, most states will allow prisoners to return to vote and exercise their voting rights after they have completed their sentence and are no longer on probation.
So, one might argue that the only way to regain the rights lost as a result of a crime that has been committed is to complete the sentence. However, these regulations will differ from one state to another. So, you have to pay very close attention too.
These are some things that might provide information for you regarding what ex-criminals cannot do in social life, as well as the role of society for ex-criminals themselves, and also how ex-criminals can regain their rights. revoked or eliminated by the state.
