Some of those guys just burn for the chance to get revenge on the "system" and the government. It wouldnt be hard at all for Al Qaeda to recruit them.
A lot would voluntarily join because it would legitimize their lives and they wouldnt have to live with the stigma of being lifelong criminals.
The prison converts could be a huge threat.
Yeah, but they may well be a leeeetle more cautious about attacking citizens at random in certain areas. I'll bet more than a few are well acquainted with citizen RTC laws and the risks that poses, especially in comparison to confrontations with the LEO's. IOW, a cop will first try to arrest whereas a citizen may just open fire. Of course, it depends on the scenario.