Chapter 2: Appropriate Language Dos and Don'ts Words to avoid: inmate, offender, criminal, ex-offender, murderer, robber, sex offender, SO, prisoner, convict, felon, former criminal, parolee, detainee, Words to use: someone with a criminal background, client, someone who was previously incarcerated, adult in custody, returning citizen, someone who was convicted of a felony. Why? The criminal system is already broken, focusing on warehousing and punishment, with little emphasis on rehabilitation. People are dehumanized while incarcerated, often being treated like a caged animal. Rehabilitation is allowing someone to get back up on their feet after failing. When you define someone by the crime they committed, you are defining them based on their worst mistakes. No where else in society do we define someone based on their lowest moment in life. It is important not to judge someone who has been arrested or incarcerated. It might not feel like a drastic difference, but there is a difference between an inmate and an adult in custody, or an ex offender and someone who was previously incarcerated. The order matters. It is a conversation not interrogation: It is important to get specific information when speaking with someone with a criminal background. How we ask them and word things matters too. For example, if their criminal record includes a sexual offense, they are not eligible for Goodwill Career Solutions services. This is why it is important to have other places and resources available to refer to them. When discussing details of their past, keep in mind this can be difficult for someone to talk about. Discussing past traumatic events can be triggering. It is important to treat it like a conversation, not an interrogation. The crime they commited was not against YOU, so be careful of your tone and word usage. Geographical Differences: The criminal justice system looks drastically different throughout the United States, which means there could be cultural or geographically differences in regards to terminology. For example, Oregon is more progressive than other states. The terminology used inside correctional facilities is “AIC, adults in custody”, not an inmate, prisoner, criminal or offender. This may not be the case for other states. State to state terminology differs drastically and this can lead to hurtful terminology being normalized. In most cases, someone uses offensive terminology unintentionally. To ensure positive terminology, be mindful of the words you choose.
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