Purchasing from a convicted criminal - would you?

Oh, I see... I didn't think about this kind of "buy", but rather about the situation when someone say in jail and his wife is selling some of his stuff.

No, I would NOT buy something like OJ Simpons book. In fact I find it quite ridiculous it was even allowed to go on-sale. As for the book completely unrelated to the crime (say, "Math in questions" from the teacher who's in prison for sexual relations with students) then I wouldn't really care much as long as I like the book.

Its a book on horses - totally unrelated to his crimes! That's what I thought too, Allison. He wrote a very good book and I don't think I should deprive myself of reading it because of his faults that he is already paying for no less.

I know I'm being cryptic in an effort not to slander! That's a perfect example. Glad you agree!

I don't think said person, if still in prison, can legally profit from his book sales. But , that doesn't mean he can not profit from it after getting out.

For example, locally here there is a young man, the so-called "Barefoot Bandit", who stole and wrecked some private airplanes as part of his illegal shenanigans. Cost the owners many thousands of dollars. He is writing (ghost wirting) his story. He is legally unable to profit, but the money can be used to pay restitution to his vicitms.
One day he'll get out and then , I suppose he will profit.


In the case of prison workers of all stripes assembling saddles or whatever, yes, I would buy the product. They get paid something like 75 cents an hour. It's nothing, but the skill is necessary. They need something to help them restart their lives once out.

I mostly agree with Tiny, who's said it best.

The saddles which use prison labor - yes, I'd buy. (But they're too expensive for me, LOL.)

The book about a guy's crimes - no, never would I buy.

The book written about another topic by a felon - if I knew the author was a felon and if he was NOT remorseful and trying to make amends for his crimes, then NO I would not buy it. I think that prison sentences mean that the person has suffered the consequences of the crime, imposed by society (law). It does not mean that they have made amends to their victims. In God's eyes, they still have some work to do even if they've paid their debt to society, so to speak. And, as a Christian, I am supposed to forgive him for what he did to me but it doesn't mean that I have to forget about it and certainly doesn't mean that I have to treat him like any upstanding person in society. There are consequences for his past actions - a child abuser doesn't get to babysit; a thief doesn't have access to my belongings; an embezzler can't be a clerk in accounts payable; and a convict can't vote or own a gun. Edited to add - Even while I don't have to trust him, I am supposed to love him in the Christian sense of the word, as he is loved by God, which is hard, too.

That's why God is God, and we are imperfect

Absolutely not. I do not buy products or services for anyone that I do not wish to benefit from my business, among which would be criminals. I also would never buy a product that would benefit Jane Fonda or Ben & Jerry's, or a white supremist group, or any entity with which I have serious moral, ethical, or political differences...

I do not think that I would.
For instance, after the Passion of Christ came out and Mel gibsons trouble with the cop, I threw away every Mel Gibson movie I owned and refuse to go see another or even watch one on cable.
I also make sure that all my investments are with companies that I agree with ,as Faceman has also posted.
Giving money to someone is condoning their actions.
I do beleive in forgiveness and redemption. I would want to see proof that he has changed or is willing to do so.
Sexual harrassment is harmful to people it can cuase emotional damage to the victim. It is a serious charge.
As the fatehr of 2 daughters I find it hard to stomach someone that has done this to anyone. Shalom

I agree with most folks here. I would not buy this book if it had anything to do with the crime. Maybe it has something to do with how to teach people what to look out for for those crimes. Besides if he's in jail for that he wont get far.

I would buy a prouct if it had nothing to do with the crime they commited. They nee to learn there are better ways to make a living then to break the law. I bought a fish net that was made by a inmate beats any net in the stores. How can criminals change if we don't allow them a chance. I can understand some crimes. And trust me they are not making a killing on what they are selling the money goes right to fines etc etc. And what if the prisoner is doing it to make money to help support his kid. JMO
TRR