The Power of Words: Using Person-First Language in Carceral and Reentry Settings
Imagine this: you’re walking into a room where a group of people is waiting to hear your story. Instead of being introduced as "a leader" or "an advocate," you're labeled by the most challenging moment of your life. How would that feel? For millions of justice-involved individuals, this is an everyday reality, often compounded by language that defines them solely by their criminal records or incarceration.
This is where the concept of person-first language (PFL) becomes not just important but transformational.
Why Language Matters
Language shapes perception. It impacts how we view others and how they see themselves. In carceral settings and during reentry, the labels we use carry significant weight. Terms like "inmate," "offender," or "ex-con" reduce people to their legal status, stripping away their humanity and individuality. These labels imply permanence—as though the actions that led to incarceration are the entirety of someone’s identity.
Person-first language flips the script. Instead of calling someone "a felon," we say, "a person with a felony conviction." Instead of "prisoner," we say, "incarcerated individual." This subtle shift emphasizes humanity over circumstance. It’s a reminder that people are more than the sum of their worst mistakes.
The Impact of Stigmatizing Language
For justice-involved individuals, the stigma attached to certain labels can:
Hinder self-esteem and personal growth: Hearing stigmatizing terms can reinforce feelings of shame and hopelessness.
Create barriers to reentry: Employers, landlords, and even community members are less likely to offer opportunities to someone labeled "an ex-con" than to "a returning citizen."
Perpetuate systemic biases: Negative language can normalize discriminatory practices, reinforcing cycles of marginalization.
Person-First Language as a Tool for Change
In carceral education, person-first language is especially crucial. Educators are often among the first people to encourage incarcerated individuals to see themselves beyond their criminal records. Using respectful language signals that you believe in their potential to learn, grow, and change. Similarly, correctional staff who adopt person-first language help foster a more rehabilitative environment, aligning with modern correctional goals of reducing recidivism.
For reentry programs, this shift in language is equally important. Referring to participants as "people returning home" or "program participants" helps create a supportive, inclusive environment where individuals can rebuild their lives without feeling defined by their past.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Adopting person-first language isn’t always easy. In carceral systems, where terms like "offender" are deeply ingrained, change requires persistence and education. Here are a few strategies:
Training and Awareness: Incorporate person-first language into staff training programs. Explain its benefits for both individuals and the system as a whole.
Policy Revisions: Advocate for official language changes in policies, documents, and signage.
Modeling Behavior: Use person-first language in conversations, emails, and reports. When others hear it in action, they’re more likely to adopt it themselves.
Feedback Loops: Encourage justice-involved individuals to share how language affects them. Their insights can drive meaningful change.
A Call to Action
As educators, advocates, and practitioners, we hold the power to reshape narratives. By choosing person-first language, we’re not just changing words—we’re changing lives. We’re opening doors to self-worth, opportunity, and inclusion.
So let’s commit to putting people first. Because behind every label is a person with a story, a potential, and a future.
Let’s call them by their name.
Cheers to a new week. Stay warm. Stay kind. Stay centered.
