Judge Gives Bank Robber A Job Instead Of Jail Time

[rockin'robin]

An Indiana ex-convict robbed a bank in June after deciding life in prison was more appealing than living on the streets. Following his release from prison after serving a sentence for a similar crime, 53-year-old David Potchen, found it more difficult to get a job on the outside than his life behind bars.

While serving out a sentence from his first bank robbery in 2001, Potchen worked for prison wages and was able to earn money to buy his own food and clothes. During the five years of probation he served for the 30-year sentence, Potchen worked an $11-an-hour job at Stanrail Corp. before being laid off in March.

Although with 20 years of experience as a welder and after applying for jobs at several other companies, Potchen was unsuccessful with finding a new job because of his criminal record.

According to NBC News, after no longer being able to afford his rented motel room, Potchen walked 12 miles from the motel to Merrillville, Indiana, where he spent a night in the woods. There, without a job or any money, he decided to rob a bank.


“Once I ran out of money, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing everything again,” Potchen said, reported the Post-Tribune.

On June 6, Potchen walked into the Chase Bank in Merrilville and handed the teller a note written on the back of his last resume demanding, “Give me all your cash in fives and tens.” Potchen then left with $1,600 in his back pocket and waited for the police outside the bank.

“Once I ran out of money, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing everything again,” Potchen said, reported the Post-Tribune.

On June 6, Potchen walked into the Chase Bank in Merrilville and handed the teller a note written on the back of his last resume demanding, “Give me all your cash in fives and tens.” Potchen then left with $1,600 in his back pocket and waited for the police outside the bank.

Potchen later told Lake Superior Court Judge Clarence Murray he committed the crime so he would be arrested. Potchen wanted to go back to prison so he could work and support himself, reported Inquisitr.

Murray had something different in mind.

“You’re not a throwaway, Mr. Potchen. You have value, sir,” the judge told him. Instead of sentencing him to prison, Murray found the ex-convict a job as a welder with a local trucking company. According to the company, Potchen now works there full time.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/judge-gives-bank-robber-job-instead-jail-time

 

[hoichi]

Well some one is thinking....
Rare as it is.....

 

[soutthpaw]

Well some one is thinking....
Rare as it is.....

Yep, we talked about this on a welding forum a while back, The system does not work and it's almost impossible for someone with a felony conviction to get a job, esp one that pays living wages.

 

[rockin'robin]

Do believe in 2nd chances for felons....and with the economy in the toilet these past several years, any con, upon being released, if they've no family or someone to take them in and give them a job...then they're out of luck.

Feel all prisons should have work shops and training for the non-violent cons...and upon their release, job placement, and a roof over their heads. Would make a world of difference I think and less chance of them reoffending.

 

[diehardbiker]

Nice to hear

 

[deafdyke]

Do believe in 2nd chances for felons....and with the economy in the toilet these past several years, any con, upon being released, if they've no family or someone to take them in and give them a job...then they're out of luck.

Feel all prisons should have work shops and training for the non-violent cons...and upon their release, job placement, and a roof over their heads. Would make a world of difference I think and less chance of them reoffending.

Agreed! Most people in prison aren't scummy assholes. Prison should be about rehab for the people who just made mistakes.....And then there's the true socio/psychopathic assholes who just need to rot in a cell, and be brought out when they die.

 

[soutthpaw]

Do believe in 2nd chances for felons....and with the economy in the toilet these past several years, any con, upon being released, if they've no family or someone to take them in and give them a job...then they're out of luck.

Feel all prisons should have work shops and training for the non-violent cons...and upon their release, job placement, and a roof over their heads. Would make a world of difference I think and less chance of them reoffending.

You realise this is way more services and benefits than the law abiding citizen gets. Just shows how messed up America's sociocultural priorities are.

 

[diehardbiker]

Still, its cheaper to try give chance than just throw them in the jail and forcing them to remain unproductive.

What needs to be fix is how society views ex-cons, once one has a record for anyone to see, its much easier for anyone to deny them or oppress them without giving them chance, that is something that needs to change.

You realise this is way more services and benefits than the law abiding citizen gets. Just shows how messed up America's sociocultural priorities are.

 

[CrazyPaul]

That's interesting! He robbed a bank because he wanted to go to jail so he could survive since if he didn't, he had no place to live and might starve to death. I understand that many businesses don't want ex-cons to work for them but that has to be changed so like RR said, ex-cons need a second chance to survive. I support the judge's decision 100%. Hopefully he stays straight as long as the company he currently works for will not let him go without good reasons.

I keep wondering how homeless people survive. Surely, there are shelters for them but most of them I see are still on the streets. Such as sleeping on the bench at bus stops with a lot of blankets covering him/her and a shopping cart stolen from the store. What's going on? Why don't cops help them finding a shelter? The government must solve this issue because it's been going on for years and years.

Edited: I am sure that our President is concerned but the problem is GOP which doesn't give a damn about the poor. Really sad, because that's not the American way.

 

[Secretblend]

That's interesting! He robbed a bank because he wanted to go to jail so he could survive since if he didn't, he had no place to live and might starve to death. I understand that many businesses don't want ex-cons to work for them but that has to be changed so like RR said, ex-cons need a second chance to survive. I support the judge's decision 100%. Hopefully he stays straight as long as the company he currently works for will not let him go without good reasons.

I keep wondering how homeless people survive. Surely, there are shelters for them but most of them I see are still on the streets. Such as sleeping on the bench at bus stops with a lot of blankets covering him/her and a shopping cart stolen from the store. What's going on? Why don't cops help them finding a shelter? The government must solve this issue because it's been going on for years and years.

Edited: I am sure that our President is concerned but the problem is GOP which doesn't give a damn about the poor. Really sad, because that's not the American way.

I seriously doubt it is just GOP.

 

[diehardbiker]

Nope, not the first time!

You may not realize how hard life is when having a felony record on you, it is a bitch! its because too many people are closed mind and not willing to give another chance thus this encourages recidivism ... I have met many people who were ex con having trouble adjusting their lives, few of them actually told me its easier to stay inside than out when having felony on record.

Thats why I said the Penal code is broken in America.

That's interesting! He robbed a bank because he wanted to go to jail so he could survive since if he didn't, he had no place to live and might starve to death. I understand that many businesses don't want ex-cons to work for them but that has to be changed so like RR said, ex-cons need a second chance to survive. I support the judge's decision 100%. Hopefully he stays straight as long as the company he currently works for will not let him go without good reasons.

I keep wondering how homeless people survive. Surely, there are shelters for them but most of them I see are still on the streets. Such as sleeping on the bench at bus stops with a lot of blankets covering him/her and a shopping cart stolen from the store. What's going on? Why don't cops help them finding a shelter? The government must solve this issue because it's been going on for years and years.

Edited: I am sure that our President is concerned but the problem is GOP which doesn't give a damn about the poor. Really sad, because that's not the American way.

 

[rockin'robin]

We all makes our own choices. Don't want a felony record?....then abide by the Law and keep your nose clean.....Easier said than done by some people tho'. ....they push it to the limit and get caught. And so many times, those who get caught and are incarnated...simply blame their problems on other people....I've seen it happen time and time again....

 

[diehardbiker]

Right, but often most of them were teenager or early adults, they just got out of High School... Or first time offender, they may not realize the made bad choices, what should we do? Just punish them outright, and leave record permanently for everyone to see it? I don't think it is workable solution. It will cost more money down the road, so instead try find way to rehabilitate them, after 2nd or 3rd same or similar offense then its serious enough for them to be punish more.

We all makes our own choices. Don't want a felony record?....then abide by the Law and keep your nose clean.....Easier said than done by some people tho'. ....they push it to the limit and get caught. And so many times, those who get caught and are incarnated...simply blame their problems on other people....I've seen it happen time and time again....

 

[caz]

He was not bad man just desperate..Good judge give him chance