Another problem that plays into this is that the US prison system isn't built with "correction" in mind but punishment. So while an ex-con may have been punishe

Another problem that plays into this is that the US prison system isn't built with "correction" in mind but punishment. So while an ex-con may have been punished, there is no assumption that they've actually changed as a person. Punishment is seen as a deterrent, not a correctional measure.