Could Ties Be the Answer to Crime Prevention?

Most of us have dress codes by which we must abide for work and school. Even prisoners have to wear certain clothing, but one center is requiring its inmates to dress in shirts and ties!

According to the AP, at the minimum-security substance abuse treatment center in Hampden County, Massachusetts, Sheriff Michael Ashe Jr. says the dress code gives the prisoners pride and purpose. Some of the inmates have never worn a tie before and have to be taught how to put it on.

This reminds me of MindChangers, a Tuscaloosa-based non-profit organization that works to teach respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness for making better choices by the renewing of minds, according to the organization's website. The past few years, MindChangers has held a tie-in ceremony, which is part of their mission to set participants in the line of success and positive decision-making.

When I first came to Stillman, it surprised me how many young men wore button-downs and slacks to class. The idea was the same. Those that dressed for success, often made better leaders. The concept also applied to young ladies.

Perhaps if we collectively worked more to gear children towards success, they can avoid the justice system. Something as small as dressing for success, rather than trying to be "on fleek," could be a great way to start.