Studies surfaced in the course of the Trump administration suggesting a desire for various terminology when referring to people with prison convictions. As an alternative of the time period “felon,” employees have been allegedly inspired to make use of phrases similar to “returning citizen” or “one who has accomplished their time.” This shift in language was purportedly aimed toward decreasing 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 could result in lowered recidivism and larger social acceptance. The historic context reveals a long-standing debate relating to the suitable terminology for describing people with prison information, reflecting evolving attitudes in the direction of crime and punishment.