http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/2008/04/21/am-i-bothered-part-four/ news, interviews and features on Mark Johnson, author of Wasted Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/2008/04/21/am-i-bothered-part-four/#comment-39 Teresa Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:12:53 +0000 http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/?p=23#comment-39 Prison is not a soft option. But maybe that's what young offenders need - a bit of softness, love and kindness. Prison is not a soft option. But maybe that’s what young offenders need - a bit of softness, love and kindness.

]]> http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/2008/04/21/am-i-bothered-part-four/#comment-11 Debra Thu, 01 May 2008 11:43:39 +0000 http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/?p=23#comment-11 I hate prisons, I hate the smell and the vibe. Ive never been an inmate, only ever a visior. I hate what people can become in there, I was pushed to a point where I knew I had to take reponsibility for a famiy member who was unable to take reponsibility for himself,The only way to save him I felt at a certain point was to report his crimes, they had been growing for years,all the time we were growing up, his choices broke my heart, but I couldnt help him, he didnt think he needed it, he felt invincible!-I got to a point that I was trying to save him from himself.Emotionally I didnt withdraw my support, but I still feel responsible for buying into the system-the thought that societies punishent would change the man. It did change the man, it made the man a monster, his experiences, his anger, his new found skills - to take, from everywhere and everyone. Lost was his empathy with a society that did not give him the chance to be trusted- and who would ?? He had no choice but to go back to crime-the only way he knew he could support himself. every good intention he ever had was lost. WE ALL have to take reponsibility in this world to create support mechanisms and believe that people can change their behavior. The culture is negative and condeming.Crime SHOULD be punished, people MUST take RESPONSIBILITY for their crime, but they MUST be shown that THERE ARE OPTIONS. Without support this will not change, the power of a family-belonging and core values are key. Mark - I admire all that you are trying to address, your passion, your drive and your selfless dedication to influence politically and culturally. Without changes in policy, there cannot be changes in men. You are testiment to positive change. I hate prisons, I hate the smell and the vibe. Ive never been an inmate, only ever a visior. I hate what people can become in there, I was pushed to a point where I knew I had to take reponsibility for a famiy member who was unable to take reponsibility for himself,The only way to save him I felt at a certain point was to report his crimes, they had been growing for years,all the time we were growing up, his choices broke my heart, but I couldnt help him, he didnt think he needed it, he felt invincible!-I got to a point that I was trying to save him from himself.Emotionally I didnt withdraw my support, but I still feel responsible for buying into the system-the thought that societies punishent would change the man. It did change the man, it made the man a monster, his experiences, his anger, his new found skills - to take, from everywhere and everyone. Lost was his empathy with a society that did not give him the chance to be trusted- and who would ?? He had no choice but to go back to crime-the only way he knew he could support himself. every good intention he ever had was lost. WE ALL have to take reponsibility in this world to create support mechanisms and believe that people can change their behavior. The culture is negative and condeming.Crime SHOULD be punished, people MUST take RESPONSIBILITY for their crime, but they MUST be shown that THERE ARE OPTIONS. Without support this will not change, the power of a family-belonging and core values are key.
Mark - I admire all that you are trying to address, your passion, your drive and your selfless dedication to influence politically and culturally. Without changes in policy, there cannot be changes in men. You are testiment to positive change.

]]> http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/2008/04/21/am-i-bothered-part-four/#comment-2 Steve Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:59:03 +0000 http://www.mark-johnson.org.uk/?p=23#comment-2 I heard a bit of the phone in on Radio 5 this morning about prison supposedly being too soft, lots of people saying prisoners should be made to sleep out in tents and stuff, and not be allowed televisions! One thing i learned from your book is that the point is you need to sort out whats making people commit crime in the first place, their drug problems etc, not just lock everyone up. Some of those callers need to read it! I heard a bit of the phone in on Radio 5 this morning about prison supposedly being too soft, lots of people saying prisoners should be made to sleep out in tents and stuff, and not be allowed televisions! One thing i learned from your book is that the point is you need to sort out whats making people commit crime in the first place, their drug problems etc, not just lock everyone up. Some of those callers need to read it!

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