Thank you for this panel everyone. To address Patrick's statement: "I pay extra just for good luck, so I don't get messed with" (Rodriquez). I understood that statement completely. I am inspired by Patrick's courage and motivated by his success. However, I would like to point out the fact that, many parolees have the same mindset as Patrick, I myself included had paid extra just to be seen as an abiding citizen, and hopefully that will be taken into good conduct. Moreover, when examined closely, many parolees carry the stigma as well as the trauma of the prison system. To quote W.E.B Du Bois in his The Souls Of Black Folk he states, "This longing to attain self - conscience manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self....without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face" (Du bois #2/3). Patrick still has a fear of not appeasing the oppressor within the prison system; everyday on parole he is living with a double conscience. Patrick accepted his responsibilities, and clearly has educated himself to be a civilized citizen and change his life for the better. I believe that Patrick is not just a self centered parolee who is only re-building his world for selfish reasons, but he is actively engaging himself by giving back to his community by addressing mass incarceration. Furthermore, he believes by offering more money he will have a better chance at obtaining his freedom. How can one adjust back into society when they are living as an enslaved individual? Why does one believe it is necessary to give more, but only to receive traumatic events?