Q1: It’s difficult to accept and value individuals who are different from us and who are different from the majority of people we interact with; how does hearing Josh’s story help you examine your own biases and judgments toward others?

Q2: Going back to Dr. Rennison’s statement in a prior video about the importance of empathy, do you feel you would be willing to hear the stories of those who commit crimes, even violent crimes, to understand the entirety of the situation and to understand more of who they are as human beings?

Q1:  What are some of the positive and purposeful uses of the media? Jennifer talks about how the media personnel she interacted with were respectful of her and her desires to tell her story without outside influences. What are some possible concerns limiting sources and perspectives? Is there a way to incorporate those other sources and perspectives while still preserving Jennifer’s experience and her story?

Q2: What is the appropriate role of the media? In some cases, is it acceptable to only tell one side or one facet of a story?

Q1: As Chris talks about his negative view of law enforcement and “society’s foundations,” what could be done to help shape the view of the criminal justice system in the minds of citizens and who should be responsible for that?

Q1: Chris alludes to his change in perception and coming to have respect for the criminal justice system that, prior to, he was negatively involved with. What does it take to change one’s perceptions? How could it be possible for those who interact with the criminal justice system to have a positive view of it? Should they and should society in general?

Q1: Because those who commit sexual abuse are so stigmatized, the majority of people view these individuals as incurable. Is this the view that you most often take? Does hearing Josh’s story and his desire to get help for his struggles change your perspective?

Q1: Sexual abuse is one of the most difficult and often enraging topics to discuss. Like Josh, those who commit acts of sexual abuse have often been sexually abused themselves. What steps can be taken to change society’s view on the topic and help these offenders receive effective treatment?

Q1: In recent years, much more attention has been given to victims and victims’ rights. Do you feel that Jennifer’s statements about victims are still true or has there been change in this regard?

Q2: Jennifer states that individuals, specifically victims, should “fight for the justice that you deserve.” While this statement is a backbone of democratic ideals, how is it disproportionately experienced in America? Can everyone equally and realistically fight for justice?

Q1: What do you think are the primary reasons that victims, as well as their families and communities, remain silent about the crimes committed against them?

Q2: Not everyone’s voice is equally heard or heard at all. How could Jennifer’s call to stand up for justice seem empty and unrealistic to some, especially those in different countries and different cultures?

Q1: Chris discusses how the punishment he received focused on taking away his freedoms and identity. Many individuals are unable to successfully re-enter society due to these consequences and the barriers they induce. Should this be the means of punishment? If not, what should be?

Q2: Chris explains how his interaction with the criminal justice system and being locked up dramatically reduced his self esteem, filled him with shame and guilt, and how it affected his ability to work and be in relationships. He states, “It took the life out from underneath me”, and explains that the system essentially used guilt and low self-esteem as a means of realizing wrongs. But, he talks about these things with a respect and awareness of his wrongs; is Chris’ positive experience typical? Do the means and effects of punishment usually have the desired outcome? If not, what justification is there in continuing in the same methods?

Q1: DNA advancements have led to individuals being convicted as well as exonerated. Are there any negative results to relying on DNA evidence? Could there still be false convictions?

Q1: Words are incredibly powerful. Jennifer discusses how using her voice has helped bring healing, closure, hope, and freedom from fear to herself and others. Discuss.

Q1: Often there is an association with arrest and conviction. In Chris’ case (as he mentioned) there was little to no doubt of his conviction at the time of his arrest, but what are the dangers of this often-perceived assumption between arrest and conviction?

Q2: Chris was placed in a medium-security prison because there was nowhere else to put him. Is this justified?

Q1: Josh said he felt the police honored his rights to due process. Why is it important that all individuals who interact with the criminal justice system have access to their rights and have those rights protected?

Q2: Should children and teenagers be treated differently than adults who commit sexual offenses? Do the circumstances of their childhood and their emotional and psychological states make a difference?

Q1: Josh explains that at the time of his arrest it was a relief to have his problem acknowledged so that he could get the help that he was seeking. Do you think perhaps many individuals with similar issues as Josh want help and want to change, but feel unable to seek that help?

Q2: Josh says he was charged with more serious crimes than what he had been arrested for. Why is it important that charges and, later, sentences are aligned with evidence versus what people may think happened or what people assume happened?

Q1: Chris explains that he felt the police were doing their job and that they did it well, but that he knew it would be bad for him as he “was going into their world,” would lose his freedom and that his personal rights would not be acknowledged. Discuss the perception and/or reality of the “different world” of entering the criminal justice system as well as the dynamics of the police subculture.

Q2: Should harshness be a required quality of police officers? Other there other qualities or tactics that could be, as effective or, more effective? Does it depend on the person?

Q3: Is it justified for police to pull someone over without probable cause? What are the consequences of doing this? What are the possible consequences of not pulling someone over due to the lack of probably cause?

Q1: Plea-bargaining often results in individuals agreeing to confess to a crime or crimes that they may have not committed. Is there any moral concern in doing this?

Q2: Josh states that the plea-bargain in his case served everyone’s best interest. If there is moral concern in plea-bargaining, does this justify it in any way?

Q1: Josh explains that he was pleased with the services his public defender provided and that he appreciated his honesty. What are some misconceptions that may exist about public defenders?

Q2: Public defenders often cover a variety of cases; what are the advantages and disadvantages to this?

Q1: Discuss the common perception that having the “right” lawyer and having enough money “makes everything go away.”

Q2: Chris states that pleading innocent and going to trial would have been much worse for him, therefore he plead guilty and then faced options on how to serve his guilty plea. If Chris had been truly innocent, should he still have chosen the “easier” path by entering a plea of guilty?

Q1: Josh explains that his attorney did not want him to plead guilty to a class B felony. Are there ethical concerns in how his attorney advised him?

Q2: Should individuals be obligated to plead guilty to the exact crime they committed?

Q3: If an individual understands the harm they’ve done, should their sentence be less or does it matter?  

Q1: Josh explains that this policy only applies to sex offenders. Should the policy apply to other types of crimes such as assault or domestic violence?

Q2: As Josh discusses, the policy against sex offenders may not always be in the best interest of those involved. What are the possible negative outcomes of this policy for victims, offenders, and society? Should the policy only be applied in certain cases?

Q1: A common belief is that jail or prison should provide space and time for individuals to ponder their crimes and change their ways. Why do you think this often does not end up being the case?

Q2: Chris argues that serving time in jail would have been easier than participating in the restorative justice program because the restorative justice program forces you look at your own responsibility and do some soul searching. Discuss the individual, community, and societal benefits of the restorative justice approach.

Q1: Josh discusses how his prison experience had a number of positive outcomes for himself and his life. Does this surprise you? If so, why?

Q2: He discusses the private prison he was sent and how it differed. Why do you think his experience in the private prison was so different?

Q3: What are some ethical concerns regarding private prisons?

Q1: Many individuals trying to reintegrate into society face difficulties like Josh did. For example, offenders are expected to get a job and contribute to society, yet many employers won’t hire someone with a record. Discuss these contradictory circumstances and what can be done to change them.

Q1: Discuss Josh’s experience of being sexually assaulted in prison and how he says it helped him understand what victims experience and also brought him to a critical moment in his experience of life and God.

Q1: Do you agree with Jennifer that inmates receive “too many luxuries” in prison? Many individuals who experience incarceration suffer emotional and psychological damage. Does being able to watch t.v. or have snacks really make a difference given the number of social depravities that inmates experience? Consider Gresham Sikes’ discussion of “the pains of imprisonment.”

Q2: Should individuals like Jennifer’s attacker be locked up and kept out of society, or is it possible for them to receive treatment and successfully reintegrate back into society, like in Josh’s story?

Q3: What are some concerns about the societal view that certain individuals should be locked up for life? What does this say about society and how does it affect the health and safety of a society?

Q1: Chris explains that it’s been difficult to engage with people who were very punitive toward him, but that he sees that ultimately they helped him. He states that he embraces that we have to live in this society together and that offenders restoring themselves to community is important. What do you believe the implications could be if everyone in society, including police officers, politicians, students, offenders, non-offenders, etc. embraced this view?

Q2: Chris recommends that individuals entering the program be given an overview of what they’re choosing to participate in in order to fully understand program requirements and expectations to enable participants to be more successful.

Q1: Do you think laws keeping registered sex offenders away from women and children are always warranted? As Josh discusses, being unable to apply principles he learned in treatment in the real world would inhibit him from practicing healthy habits and safe interactions and participating in society as a fully-functioning human being. Do you think with safeguards, such as the accountability partners Josh mentions, sex offenders should be allowed to be in any social setting?

Q1: Josh explains that research shows lower recidivism rates when criminal offenders have stable jobs. Therefore, should criminal offenders and, specifically, sex offenders, be inhibited, by law, from so many work places?

Q2: Do you think it was warranted for the President to bar Josh from working at the University? Why do you think politicians often take the stance that they do against sex offenders as well as violent offenders?

Q1: Do you agree with Josh that juveniles should be able to safely seek help without having to be reported to authorities?

Q2: What are the implications of individuals being registered as sex offenders for life? Should this always be the case?

Q2: Discuss Josh’s comment that society is so focused on catching sex offenders instead of being focused on preventative measures.

Q1: Jennifer was able to overcome her traumatic experience and use her story to help others. Why do you think many victims are unable to find the same healing as Jennifer?

Q2: How were your beliefs and perspectives most challenged by Jennifer’s story?

Q1: Chris explains that he is still deeply affected by the crime he committed as well as the restorative justice program he was a part of and talks about the importance of accepting what he went through and trying to do something positive. What are some tools criminal justice workers could apply to help individuals come to the same conclusions?

Q2: Chris explains that he didn’t only change his external behavior by choosing to no longer drink and drive, but that he was able to understand his internal struggles that were behind his actions. Discuss the difference between changing external behaviors and changing internal beliefs and values.

Q3: How were your beliefs and perspectives most challenged by Chris’s story?