Philadelphia's ex-offenders to get a gentler name

philly.com ^ | October 24, 2013 | Chris Palmer

[Tailgunner Joe]

The hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians who have served time in prison will no longer be referred to as "ex-offenders" in official city language, the mayor's office announced Thursday. Instead, an ordinance will be introduced to call them "returning citizens."

In a statement, Mayor Nutter said that the new term emphasizes reintegration, while " 'ex-offender' carries with it a stigma which may increase the challenges these citizens face."

While the ordinance, to be introduced by Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., awaits approval, the mayor has already issued an executive order making it city policy to use "returning citizen" on all written material from the city.

The order also renamed the Office of Re-integration Services for Ex-Offenders (RISE) to the Office of Re-integration Services. The acronym, however, will remain the same.

RISE executive director Bill Hart said he estimates the city is home to more than 200,000 "returning citizens," but that an exact number is difficult to pinpoint due to a high recidivism rate.

He hopes the new term will have a "cognitive effect" on those returning from prison.

A more positive label, he said, demonstrates that "you can be successful and make that reintegration in the world."

[Paladin2]

Convicted works for me.

[rfp1234]

Not satire?!

[Shadowstrike]

I swear my head is gonna explode...

What’s next? A Parade to welcome them home? Ice cream cake, and the choice of which Bank they may rob in the future should the “need” arise?

Sweet Jesus, what is WRONG with people?

[volunbeer]

How about recidivist.

That is probably the most accurate.......

[Iron Munro]

Mayor Nutter is aptly named.

[SandRat]

How about Ex Con?

[rfp1234]

While the ordinance, to be introduced by Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., awaits approval...

The same idiot who ordered the firebombing of a whole city block in the '80s?

[FlingWingFlyer]

“Returning citizens”. ROTFLMAO! That’s funny! I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there. I wish we could call raisins Geezer Grapes but I guess we’d need an ordinance passed by the flatulence crowd.

[Mears]

I’ve got an idea.

If you don’t want to be called an ex-offender just don’t offend.

Works for me.

.

[chemicalman]

Yeah...And we can celebrate with ice cream and cake, like a birthday party!

[Jack Hydrazine]

Parole Board chairman: They've got a name for people like you H.I. That name is called "recidivism."
Parole Board member: REPEAT OFFENDER!
Parole Board chairman: Not a pretty name, is it H.I.?
H.I.: No, sir. That's one bonehead name, but that ain't me any more.

Parole Board chairman: You're not just telling us what we want to hear?
H.I.: No, sir, no way.

Parole Board member: 'Cause we just want to hear the truth.
H.I.: Well, then I guess I am telling you what you want to hear.

Parole Board chairman: Boy, didn't we just tell you not to do that?
H.I.: Yes, sir.

Parole Board chairman: Okay, then.
-Raising Arizona (1987)

[Paladin2]

True...

0bamasan.

[EEGator]

He’s a chip off the old block.

[Argus]

I think we have a new name for the Redskins!

[Lmo56]

What ??? No cookies and milk at bed time - and a reading of Goodnight Moon, too ???

[tumblindice]

Why don’t they just trade names with the Washington Redskins?
It even sounds right: the Washington Ex-offenders.
The goo-goos are happy and the ex-cons get cool names.

[rdcbn]

Be accurate and call them future ObamaCare Navigators

[fieldmarshaldj]

That was daddy.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"RISE executive director Bill Hart said he estimates the city is home to more than 200,000 "returning citizens," but that an exact number is difficult to pinpoint due to a high recidivism rate."

Guess they don't wanna return.