The video Inside the OJ Simpson parole hearing is news coverage by ABC News that shows Orenthal James Simpson (OJ Simpson) on October 1, 2017, during and after his parole hearing that set him free after almost nine years in prison for a robbery in Las Vegas. In a relatively brief coverage, ABC News (2017) shows the final moments during the hearing and the reactions of Simpson, the defendant, and other people such as the family, the victim, and the public. A short interview with OJ Simpson shows him express his gratitude and defiance after he is granted parole.
An important thing worth mentioning is the kind of defiance that OJ Simpson portrays in the video. Simpson and his co-accused had been found guilty, with some even pleading to have committed the crime. But he is not remorseful even though he says that he wants to return to the community. Simpson’s family, especially his sister Tanya, state that even though he had committed the crime, they were grand that he was free as he was part of their family (ABC News, 2017). Furthermore, the video shows the reactions of the members of the public, primarily through Twitter social media. In essence, most of the people contributing to the online debate are against the ruling, but the court has the final decision.
Opinion
It is surprising that Simpson, having vomited such a crime, is not remorseful for his actions. Even though he has served about nine years in jail, he should be remorseful because the successful parole only serves him and not his victim. The victim would feel that there was no justice as long as Simpson is free. In addition, releasing a person like Simpson, who is known to have been accused of murder in a previous case, exposes the public to threat (Taylor & Fritsch, 2011). Simpson should have taken enough time in prison to learn a lesson and prevented from committing other crimes in the future.
Relation to the course
This video is relevant to the course materials as it shows the concept of acceptance back to the community of released prisoners. After incarceration, the former prisoners are likely to face rejection by the public, society, and even the family (Taylor & Fritsch, 2011). For Simpson, the family is happy he is released and looking forward to living with and support him to start a new life. However, as seen in the reactions on the social media forum, the public is unhappy because they feel that the ruling does not serve the victim. As per the readings in the course, the process of accepting former prisoners back to society is complicated. Most former inmates will face rejection even though they have reformed.
References
ABC News. (2017). Inside the OJ Simpson’s parole hearing [Video]. YouTube.
Taylor, R. W., & Fritsch, E. J. (2011). Juvenile Justice: Policies, programs, and practices. (3rd ed.). McGraw/Hill.