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Recividism Rates & my Brother

7/29/2024

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Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
This topic has been heavy on my heart for many years, but more so in the past 18 months, since my brother passed away. My brother had a high recidivism rate and no one that worked in the schools, the churches, the corrections system, ever asked him what happened to him. They never asked why he acted out, or ran away. No one ever asked why he was using or running, or how his heart and soul felt. No one every checked in on the wholistic person of my brother.

From a young age my brother was challenged in school, sitting still, outbursts, learning challenges, behaviour, and the list goes on. He was a young boy that wanted and needed attention. He need any kind of attention he could get, even if it wasn't positive. 

At home our father was abusing him, raping him, beating him, and belittling him in ways most humans can't wrap their heads around. Yes, I have talke about it before, and yes, I am talking about it again. WHY? Because there are many children out there that need teachers, school counselors, doctors, nurses, and other adults in their life to look at the holistic child as a person and figure out what they are struggling with and why. Why are they acting out? And help figure out how to support them. Church youth groups, sports teams he was on, no where, no one asked.

We saw the same patterns in junior high and into high school. To a point where he could barely function. And then at age 16 he was able to speak his truth - telling of the abuse which had plagued his life since he was an infant. Then he ended up numbing the pain through addiction and other ways. Trying to contiue to survive the damage he never asked for.

Cory's story isn't much different than many. Other young folks deal with racism, poverty, abandonment, and the list goes on. My brother ended up in and out of jail and prison sentences. The repetitiveness of him trying to survive life the best he could - carrying the weight of trauma that children should never experience and adults should never have to take with them for their entire lives.

My brother was never lucky enough to break free of the cycle - trying to survive each day. He had a very long rap sheet, he found himself trying to put together the pieces time and time again. Not unlike many.

All of this to say...we need to help families students, corrections, hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, teachers, school counselors, principles - all understand ACES Scores - Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) uncovered a stunning link between childhood trauma and the chronic diseases people develop as adults, as well as social and emotional problems. This includes heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and many autoimmune diseases, as well as depression, violence, being a victim of violence, and suicide.

I would also say that ACES also impacts recidivism rates. We need to start using ACE scores, to help people change the trajectory of their lives. What are we waiting for.

What if we asked "what has happened in your life," Maybe, just maybe - we can make a difference.

I will no longer be quiet and hidden. - Pennie 
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