Just a quick response to David's post from earlier: isn't the denial of rights to ex-felons a good example of a punishment approach to law-breaking as opposed to a restitution approach? If one sees the legal system as inflicting punishment, then refusing to allow ex-felons to vote or own guns might make sense. However, if one thinks in terms of restitution, then someone who has paid their debt, either literally or in time served, has made full restitution and should start with a clean slate. (Whether or not the logic of"starting" with a clean slate" applies to all ex-felons is an interesting question. Are there some crimes that are likely to be repeated even after time is served, e.g., child molestation? If so, is it so easy to assume the" clean slate"?)