Our current criminal justice system has no provision for restorative justice, in which an offender confronts the damage they have done and tries to make it right for the people they have harmed. [...] Instead, our system of "corrections" is about arm's-length revenge and retribution, all day and all night.
Piper KermanI went back to work right away [after prison]. I was very lucky โ a friend of mine created a job for me at his company. Most prisoners who come home face really significant challenges when it comes to finding work. Itโs very, very hard for most people who have a criminal record to get a job. I think the system is very wasteful of taxpayersโ dollars. Itโs also very wasteful of human potential. I found that most people whom I was locked up with were, you know, good people who have skills and value. Prison is a missed opportunity to nurture those things.
Piper KermanOur current criminal justice system has no provision for restorative justice, in which an offender confronts the damage they have done and tries to make it right for the people they have harmed. [...] Instead, our system of "corrections" is about arm's-length revenge and retribution, all day and all night.
Piper KermanWhen you are deep in misery, you reach out to those who can help, people who can understand.
Piper KermanThat's very indicative to me of one of the things that really creates an aversion for me about having a child - this idea that every decision you make in your life has to be dictated by the child. And yet, I believe that if you choose to have a child you have an absolute primary responsibility to create a safe, loving environment.
Piper KermanIf I could forgive, it meant I was a strong good person who could take responsibility for the path I had chosen for myself, and all the consequences that accompanied that choice. And it gave me the simple but powerful satisfaction of extending a kindness to another person in a tough spot.
Piper Kerman