Experiences surfaced in the course of the Trump administration suggesting a desire for different terminology when referring to people with legal convictions. As a substitute of the time period “felon,” workers have been allegedly inspired to make use of phrases reminiscent of “returning citizen” or “one who has accomplished their time.” This shift in language was purportedly geared toward lowering stigma related to previous offenses and selling a extra constructive notion of these re-entering society after incarceration.
The significance of language in shaping public notion can’t be overstated. Proponents of utilizing phrases like “returning citizen” argue that it emphasizes rehabilitation and the potential for people to contribute positively to their communities after serving their sentences. This will result in decreased recidivism and better social acceptance. The historic context reveals a long-standing debate relating to the suitable terminology for describing people with legal data, reflecting evolving attitudes in direction of crime and punishment.
