i dont think we disagree, just emphasizing different points.Disagree. Many sociopaths are not in jail (but at the top of companies!) while many normally functioning people are in jail. Let's assume for a sec that this kid is actually quite savvy and motivated and not sociopathic. He goes to jail and is lucky to come out before he's 30. If he's still savvy and motivated, the felony will keep him from getting anything more than a minimum wage job - he's got no hope of ever owning more than a 20 year old beater car, a house, an apartment that's not a slum, supporting a family, etc. The deck is stacked against him. So, what do you think said motivated and savvy man is going to do to propel himself through life?
on your points above - thats also a huge factor. one im personally quite familiar with. when you brand a man, take everything from him and put a massive handicap on how he can provide for himself, dudes really got no choice but to live by the gun. its bubblegumin absurd what our criminal justice system does to people.
to build on your point, for the sake of others: most people have no idea how massive of a disadvantage convicts face. you get out of jail and have absolutely nothing: if you had a job, its long gone. if you had a home, its long gone. if you had a car, you dont anymore. you cant get a job better than minimum wage, cant rent the vast majority of apartments, you are absolutely penniless. and you cant even get food stamps, cant get welfare, typically cant even leave the state youre in if you have any kind of post release supervision.
what the FAP do you expect a guy to do to put food in his stomach and a roof over his head? in that position, you honestly have little choice but to stick with what you know and hopefully not get popped again for a little while
some people have the benefit of familial resources... if you can live on your moms couch and eat her food, cool.. lotta people aint got no mom to crash with