Former Inmate Finds Life Better by Staying Straight

Many prisoners say when they're released they will not go back to a life of crime.<br>However, many of theses same prisoners go right back into the same life that put them in prison. Eventually, they

Tuesday, March 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Many prisoners say when they're released they will not go back to a life of crime.
However, many of theses same prisoners go right back into the same life that put them in prison. Eventually, they find themselves back behind bars at some point. It is only a very few that starts a new life and stick with it.

If you met Roscoe Dabney now, you'd never believe he was once a hardcore gang member. He served time for robbery, car theft and even shooting with intent to kill. Dabney was convicted of firing a weapon at rival gang members at a Tulsa Quik Trip which sent him to prison for eight years. It wasn't his first time in trouble with the law. At the age of 31, he has spent more than half his life behind bars. "To be very honest with you, I didn't think I could change," he said. "I thought I was going to die this way. So I told God I need help, because I can't do it myself."

The News on Six first interviewed Dabney in 1994. At that time, he told us he'd become a Christian and promised to lead a different life when he was released. Dabney was released from prison three months ago and is already trying to live a different life.
"I thought, I'm a legitimate citizen," he said. " I'm legal."

Dabney is the supervisor of a construction crew. He recently got married and says his whole mindset is different now. Earlier in life, he says he was on a destructive path.
"I was very mad and disappointed that I was doing this to myself," he explained. "No one did it to me. I decided, I've go to get it together."

Dabney says prison can rehabilitate you if you allow it to. He received his general education diploma, learned a skill, and also participated in communications and moral decision making classes. He stayed away from his old buddies when he got out of prison.

But what makes him most proud, is that his hard work is giving others hope.
"They're telling me, 'Roscoe, if you can change, anybody can change,'" he noted. "If you can, even I can and that's true."

Dabney lives in North Carolina now, but feels it's important that he come back to Oklahoma one day. He wants to help build up the community he once worked to tear down.