NEWLY PROPOSED LAW WILL MAKE 'CONVERTING CRIMINALS' A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Dothan, AL (Wokeville Gazette) — Newly proposed legislation is likely to penalize any correctional facilities that talk to inmates to help them overcome unwanted criminal urges or thoughts.

The proposed legislation is presented as a ban on “conversion therapy,” but the most prisons are dedicated to four major purposes; namely, retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation.

These so-called bans, on conversion therapy, are being used as muzzles to silence correctional institutions that have the impossible task of trying to help lifetime criminals find new hope. The aim is to coerce prisons into forfeiting any counsel that would imply or teach that there is anything sinful about criminal behaviors, impulses, feelings, and identities. In this case, the proposal before the Dothan City Council would, if enacted into law, threaten the ability of prisons to deal in truth and honesty and would even threaten the right of prison chaplains to counsel the inmates.

"This is really unbelievable", said Joseph Clint, warden at Dothan State Prison. "I honestly have no idea how we're supposed to accomplish our mission, if we can't even follow the basic tenets of our mission".

Rehabilitation refers to activities designed to change criminals into law abiding citizens, and may include providing educational courses in prison, teaching job skills and offering counselling with a psychologist, social workers, or pastors.

We spoke to a proponent of this proposed legislation, to gain a better perspective of the intent of this law.

"We feel it is inappropriate for anyone to be converted", said Mary James Anderson-Riley. "If a criminal wants to self-identify as a criminal, what right does anyone have to prevent them from living into their most authentic self? For decades we have continued to try and force round pegs into square holes, by trying to convert criminals into law abiding citizens. This kind of bigotry and intolerance will no longer be tolerated. This law will finally remove the shame and humiliation that criminals have been forced to carry for far too long, simply for being themselves."

When asked what role prisons should play in the lives of the incarcerated individuals, Anderson-Riley gave the following advice:

"How should I know? That's not my problem to solve. Our goal here isn't to tell prisons how they can accomplish their mission. Our goal is to tell them how they can't accomplish their mission".

With such a drastic change to the law, many prison wardens—like Joseph Clint—are now left to wonder if there really is a mission for prisons at all.

"It kind of leaves you to wonder if we really have a purpose in society anymore", said Clint. "If we're just here to celebrate and affirm criminals for who they already are, then what is the point of prisons. These offenders will continue to break the law, and will be celebrated for doing so, and there is no room within the law to try and persuade them from continuing with their lifestyle; regardless how detrimental it may be to themselves or society at large". ​