We do well to have more compassion and less condemnation for those who are returning to society. They need to work. Finding a job isn't easy, and it's harder still for those with a criminal past. The pattern against them in our culture is so strong that many turn to entrepreneurship to create work for themselves.
One study, discussed with the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee this week, found that returning citizens start businesses at a higher rate than Americans who have never been incarcerated, and as entrepreneurs they earn more and have lower recidivism rates than employees.