The main idea of the reading that stood out to me was the topic on the justification and redemption of inmates on the crimes they committed, specifically on the crime Larry committed. This topic is first brought up in chapter 64 after Larry talks about his Timeline of Anxiety. Bates writes that “getting convicted killers to “look on” their deed again is an important step to keep them from killing again” (234). After reading this I began to think about a time I did something wrong in life, and how knowing what I did was wrong and revisiting the moment is a step forward that will help me not do it again. Though it wasn’t as big as killing someone or something illegal, looking upon the wrong you did and how it affects either yourself or others around, will prevent you from doing it again. Then in chapter 68 the prisoners are able to reflect on whether they feel remorse or if they regret their actions. After participating in the activity about writing to the female inmates and expressing their feelings the prisoners were able to feel regret and realize that they did hurt people with the crime they committed through this experience. Both sides were able to confront what they have done.
Bates begins to question whether or not Larry was guilty based on his “psychological instability at the time he committed” the crime (233). Being able to read about the night of the crime in Larry’s point of view makes me wonder whether or not he was guilty. Then again we also have to take into consideration that someone was killed that night and that, that person had family and friends who cared about them. Given the fact that he wasn’t all mentally stable throughout the night do you think he is fully guilty? Could murder be justified? Do the inmates deserve redemption for what they did?