Article July 13, 1981 Issue

Redemption from wrongdoing

ROBERT C. BRAMAN

The case of a young man with a long record of arrests and convictions was reviewed not long ago on television. He was said to be typical of a certain percentage of young offenders whose criminal instincts are considered irreversible. Lifelong confinement may be the only way to protect society from further harm, it was said.

I also used to believe that some individuals were simply born to be bad and that nothing could be done about it. While I recognize that a criminal justice system is still necessary to protect society, my thought on the possibility of rehabilitation has changed; and Christian Science and an apple tree have had a lot to do with it.

I once lived next to a vacant lot. On it stood an old, gnarled, neglected apple tree. The little fruit that it produced was virtually worthless. When a house was built on the lot, I wondered what would happen to this old tree. My hope was that these new neighbors would see its worthlessness and have it removed. One day, however, I was amazed to see them pruning the branches and fertilizing the soil around the tree.

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