HELP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM
News – Q&A
Larry's Blog
Reality Check Foundation Outings
Reality Check Program Special Events
Second Chances Do Work – Support People – Reality Check Program
Second chances and what they mean, by Larry Lawton
Being a free man for over twelve years now, (my release date was August 24, 2007) I've had a lot of time to reflect on life, family, friends, my career and what it all means. What it always comes back to is, second chances and what we do with them.
Most people need a second chance and deserve a second chance. Let me explain, it doesn't matter if you were caught for something or not. Maybe you have driven drunk, stole something, threatened someone, assaulted someone, etc. Everybody has done something they know was not right and probably could have gotten them in some legal trouble. One person once said to me, "I've never done anything that could have gotten me thrown in jail" I looked at him and asked him if he ever drove fast, he said "yes", I then proceeded to explain to him if he was driving 20 mph over the limit and had an accident and someone got killed, he could go to prison for vehicular homicide. His whole expression changed. My point is, everybody has done something.
As a man who travels a lot and speaks with people from all over the United States, I am so inspired by seeing the support and willingness of people to give others a second chance, even strangers. We all want second chances for our families and friends, but to see it with strangers is what makes me believe the United States is the greatest country on earth. We need to take that philosophy to our jails and prisons.
Our jails and prisons fail miserably, which gives the United States a bad name around the world, and of course, it is just wrong.
Compared to non-third world countries, we have the worst prison system in the free world. Whether it is numbers wise, being treated humanely, or trying to rehabilitate people, we fail miserably.
It confuses me and frustrates me to see our high incarceration rate. I can't help but wonder why we put more money into jails and prisons then we do into programs and treatment centers.
It is easy for me to show a person the logic, cost effectiveness and humanity good programs and treatment centers have over incarceration. Why our government doesn't but more money into rehabilitation is the question we all should be asking all our elected officials.
We are a second chance country. Let's show the world by our actions. Local, state and federal politicians, agencies and organizations need to be more open and transparent to the people they serve.
I am a lucky man who has met some very good politicians, agency officials and organizations that believe in second chances, understand the cost effectiveness of prevention and programs compared to incarceration, follow what the people they serve want, and are true humanitarians. I personally wanted to thank all of you for your support and belief in me and people who made mistakes.
People support positive, good, decent people who run organizations that don't have clear answers for hard questions. No matter the political party, agency or organization, people know it is not easy, but please keep trying. Change is possible.
What I have learned in life is you can't put all your energy and efforts into worrying about the negative, there is to much out there. What people need to do is help and support good politicians, officials, organizations and people who can make a difference. There is a saying in life, what goes around comes around.
The Reality Check Program has grown into a national brand with support from Politicians, Law Enforcement Agencies, Judges, and families all over the country. People believe in second chances and so do we. We say this all the time, "We don't believe in bad kids, we believe in bad choices". I (Larry Lawton) am living proof that people do change.
Please visit the Reality Check Program to see all the products and services we have for agencies, organizations and families in need.
With God's grace all things will fall in place in your life and the lives around you.
Larry Lawton
Larry Lawton – Wikipedia
About the author: Larry Lawton is an Author, TV Personality, Speaker, Teen/Young Adult Expert and Law Enforcement Consultant. Larry developed the nationally recognized Reality Check Program and Reality Check Video Card Program.
Larry Lawton appears regularly on national TV and Radio as an expert on teen issues, crime, schools and community policing. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, MSNBC — CLICK HERE to see Larry Lawton on TV
In August of 2013, Larry was the first ex-con in the United States to be sworn in as an Honorary Police Officer in the city of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri and in November 2013, Larry was the first ex-con recognized on the Floor of the United States Congress for his work with helping young people and law enforcement agencies.
Have Larry help your Community Policing Program, call 844-922-4800 or Larry@RealityCheckProgram.com
Corporate & Keynote Speaking – Larry Lawton brings the most entertaining, inspirational, motivational and informative stories to audiences throughout the United States and around the world. Contact Larry for availability and cost at 321-327-2921 or Larry@Lawton911.com