Have you ever been to a restaurant, and as soon as you were seated your waiter/waitress put a plate of food in front of you without you ordering? How did he/she know what you wanted without asking you first?
In America, there have been some creations of “artificial movements”. These movements are typically 501 (c) 3 Non Profit organizations. These non profits are seeking funding through grants, donations etc., to aide people with reentry. Yet people who are released from prison, don’t know these organizations exist, and if they do know about the organization, majority of them will not receive assistance from the organization. Yet the organization has leaders/activists that are the know-it-all of what people who were formerly incarcerated want/need.
Who told these “leaders” or “activist” that people with criminal records wanted public housing and food stamps? Once a person has paid their “debt” to society, they don’t owe society anything. Society owes that person with a criminal record a “chance” to redeem their family’s honor through legal employment and education. These people should not be forced to beg at the feet of hypocrites to support their families.
These same organizations, through distribution of misinformation, helped in creating an illusion. The illusion that’s created gives a false sense of security to the person that is soon to be released, that they’re here to help. In the State of North Carolina by having a state funded 501 (c) 3 status, these organizations are obligated by law to give preference to Corrections Enterprises before purchasing certain items. In other words these non profits are required by law to buy goods made from the labor of people in prison. Yet upon release these same people can’t find gainful employment. The skills acquired by working in prison are useless in a society that believes in discrimination based on your criminal background.
VICTIMS OF MISFORTUNE is a feature-length, social change documentary that will give a historical and current look at America’s criminal justice system and the discriminatory policies that people with a criminal background face, post conviction/release.
Victims Of Misfortune will also take a closer look at America’s system of indentured servitude putting the practice in proper historical context. The United States has 5 percent of the world population, with around 25 percent of the world’s prisoners (over 2.4 million people behind bars). Nearly $70 billion is spent annually on probation/parole, prison and detention centers for immigration detainees. Once these people are released from prison or have a criminal record, they are then discriminated against for employment, housing, education, governmental benefits and some even deported.
The goal of Victims Of Misfortune, is to boldly confront the problems of America’s criminal justice system, immigration reform, public policies, the impact of prison labor on American workers and also provide valuable solutions to those people who are being discriminated against. This feature-length documentary will be available for use in order to raise consciousness and organize for reform.