The life of a former prisoner
He was placed under the State's care as soon as he was born, but at 12 he was living on the streets and soon wound up in prison because of a string of petty thefts.
Now aged 23, Daniel Lanzon has spent the past 18 months trying to reintegrate into society. He feels he has a lot to offer and dreams of becoming a politician and being allowed to contest a general election, even though he knows he will have to fight for that right in court.
"I robbed to survive. I stole clothes because I had nowhere to wash my own and I stole money so that I could eat. I never took part in any hold-ups or any violent acts," he said.
However, he then added: "When I was a kid I poked someone's eye with a pencil because he was teasing me about not having parents. Another time I beat up a woman to pay her back."
Mr Lanzon, whose mother was a prostitute, spent his childhood "imprisoned" in different institutions. He was a problem child, very hyperactive and moody. Eventually he felt he could not go on living in institutions so he escaped and began living on the streets.
"I used to bury my clothes in a bag in the soil so they would not get mouldy. I used to wash in the showers of waterpolo clubs while the players were training. I would also try on their clothes and steal the ones that fitted me. I became very creative with experience," he said.
When he got to juvenile prison, things started to change.
"The thing that shocked me most was the strip search. I understand it needs to be done because you can hide anything anywhere. But that is when you realise you have no dignity left," he said.
He does not agree with people who say that prison is an easy way of life simply because they have access to televisions or video games.
"Being locked up, without anyone, all alone, with no contact to the outside world, that's already too much," he said.
Mr Lanzon does not consider himself to be a victim, because his experience has taught him many invaluable lessons about life. He also knows that the real victims are the people who suffered at his hands.
"I am a bad person who did bad things, but I am a product of my circumstances and I believe that if society were to change its way of dealing with people like me, the world would be a better place," Mr Lanzon said.
He expresses remorse for what he has done and all the people he has hurt in the past.
"But it's easy to say sorry. I want to do more than that. I want to be able to do something to make up for what I've done. I want to make a contribution to society," he added.
His biggest difficulty so far has been to find stable full-time employment. Thanks to the support of friends, including prison officials, he has found a place to live, but employers find it difficult to trust him because of his past.
He still has a number of pending court cases and knows there is the possibility of returning behind bars.
"I'm afraid of going back. Prison is an ugly place," he said, even though he is quick to add that he always found support from prison officials.
He said prisoners liked to gang up against other prisoners and he often fell victim to bullying and beatings. But in prison he never hung around the big-shots so he did not see the internal drug trade or anything of the sort.
"I never touched drugs, so I never got involved in that kind of stuff. Since I used to work close to the prison management, the prisoners were afraid to talk to me about certain things," Mr Lanzon said.
He added that prison was not run as a correctional facility, but expressed hope that people at the top had the integrity required to improve things. In his ideal world, prison would be an area where offenders are given the chance to reform through care-workers and psychologists. He believes most people can change if given a chance, so the best thing to do is provide a home in which they can learn the error of their ways and become productive members of society.
Mr Lanzon would like to see a home for problem kids and feels he has a lot to give in this area. "I want to be able to give children the life I was not given," he said.
He agrees with the introduction of parole because it would help prisoners integrate into society, but points out that this cannot be done unless inmates are then helped to find work and earn a living.
He points out that one in two prisoners returns to prison after being released, and blames this on the fact that they are not given the tools or resources to move on and better their lives.
However, he makes an exception when it comes to drug dealers.
"I don't think drug dealers can change because the amount of money they know they can make blinds them." Unsurprisingly, Mr Lanzon's hero is Manwel Dimech, a person who was exiled and almost hanged over a century ago because of a string of petty thefts and murder but who grew up to be a social reformer after a number of years in prison.
"I want to set up a political party to give a voice to the voiceless such as prisoners and abandoned children.
"Even if I don't get elected, I want to be able to bring about these issues and to ensure that justice is equal for all."
And what if he gets the opportunity to contest an election with one of the main political parties?
"I know that will never happen," he said, in a resigned tone.
cperegin@timesofmalta.com" target="_blank">cperegin@timesofmalta.com
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Joe Xuereb
Oct 12th 2009, 21:02
It is admirable that people talk of giving second chances. Let us not forget that Daniel never had a FIRST chance. But for the grace of God (so to speak), anyone of us could have been him. Most important though, we must look, seriously look, at why States are failing people. A life of crime is not easy, punishment is even worse. And yet people turn to crime. Something is rotten in the system somewhere. We need to find out what it is.
Hello Daniel. Chin up man. You owe it to yourself.
ctabone
Oct 12th 2009, 19:37
Clearly the state didnt do a very good job of caring for him if at 12 he ended up on the streets and more importantly felt at such a young age that the streets would be a happier alternative to institutions. It is sad that his criminal past could probably have been avoided if he had been given the support and care he needed at a young age.
Mark Cushcieri
Oct 12th 2009, 15:04
while i agree prison should not be a hotel ..i also think prison should not be just about punishment ..i was seeing a documentary in Thailand were convicted ppl are taught to appreciate life and goodness in life by promoting music so as to make one feel better even though he is still in jail...we cannot let these people give up be demoralized and get out of prison to commit crime once again..we must strive so that once they are out of prison they have hope for a better future..the stigma of not giving them a 2nd chance and employment should also be removed.
J Galea
Oct 12th 2009, 14:59
I was watching the Pride of Britain awards the other day and there was a similar case of a person to this one who had managed a complete turnaround in life. He was lauded as a hero. Although this person still has some way to go he should also be celebrated for the conviction he shows in overcoming his predicament if this is indeed genuine. With a past as tough as his and with the state having been his guardian since birth, the authorities should assist in finding him suitable employment. In the USA and UK there is a program called Streetlaw where young lawyers and reformed prisoners teach young children in deprived neighbourhoods about the hazards of drugs and the tough experience as a criminal in jail. It would seem that this person's plans to be a politician may be difficult to achieve but he could play a very useful role educating others (probably from much more secure backgrounds) about the folly of crime. Who else could deliver a better message?
j. attard
Oct 12th 2009, 13:26
I couldn't agree more, prison facilities abroad especially in the uk and us are overflowing, and it is well known that young petty offenders emerge educated to commit more dangerous crimes or indoctrinated as part of a gang.
Prison needs to rehabilitate and educate to prevent criminals reoffending, so that once released they can become valid contributing members of society. We need to examine what elements of society are causing people to go to prison in the first place.
|Not everyone can be rehabilitated, but clearly a large percentage can - good luck Daniel and i hope you have a very happy future. Perhaps you should try and work with young offenders as you can relate to their problems.
karl mallia
Oct 12th 2009, 07:57
Inspiring!! I hope that people in Malta have an open mind enough to accept and believe this person.
R. Azzopardi
Oct 11th 2009, 22:18
I can hardly believe that these words are coming out of the mouth of a man who had very little in the way of education. He's extremely clever. I honestly hope that he practices what he preaches and gets a second chance.
Mark Cushcieri
Oct 11th 2009, 22:11
Maybe not politics considering such stigmas and taboos in this country when it comes to re instating ppl who where in prison. However he should teach kids who are nowadays passing thru what he passed so as to help them. This serves to show if we really forgive a person after he has done the sentence for his deeds. Everyone deserves a second chance if there is promise for success. Good Luck
Joe Xuereb
Oct 11th 2009, 19:55
Daniel is very bright but grew up to feel valueless. That is a recipe for the disastrous life he has had. He will need a lot of gentle support over a period of time. I hope he will get to understand that the world is not always a nice place to be but that the important thing is to learn the value of dignity and self-respect in spite of this. I hope nobody will promise him anything that is unrealistic and unattainable, just to make him feel better. He will be 'delicate' for some time yet. I wish him well. Daniel, you deserve to live a decent life man. Joe.
ann bezzina
Oct 11th 2009, 18:36
What a sad story. I wish him all the luck & hope that he is given a chance to work and do well.
He should be proud of himself.
Darren Cassar
Oct 11th 2009, 18:15
The words of this young lad have more noble principles than much of the words said by politicians leading our country.
marthese mussett
Oct 11th 2009, 17:25
his heart is in the right place,he had a hard life,I wish him good luck,success and happiness.
Anthony Falzon
Oct 11th 2009, 12:14
It seems that this person has reformed himself, so prison as it is now does work, he is living proof that the system works for those who really want to reform. And it seems that the major thing that made him want to reform is that he does not want to go back to prison. So do society a favour and hand out heavier prison sentences.