Dr Rousseau, do you think even the worst person can change? That everyone can be a good person, if they just try?
That is a difficult question, but a very good one nonetheless.
I feel that all people are inherently capable of both good and bad. While many outside influences (such as social background, upbringing, and even genetics) can certainly play a role in a person’s outlook and personality, it is how they choose to respond to these situations that ultimately shape the person they become.
It has been my experience that anyone who truly wants to change, can change. I’ve seen many convicts change their lives around for the better. Thieves, con-artists, even murderers. In fact, one patient of mine had been convicted of killing a couple in a mugging incident. Through hard work and years of therapy, he realized his reasons for going down such a path and found the strength to take responsibility for his decision and change it for the better. He has since devoted himself to an organization that helps bring awareness to street crime, volunteering as a public speaker and even sending (legally earned) money and gifts to the family of the couple. Turning his life around has earned him forgiveness from the family, and he is a much happier person.
That said, there are people who, sadly, do not have the desire to change their ways. It is impossible to force a person down a path he or she simply does not want to take. In these cases, all we can do is encourage them, show them the benefits of changing their ways, and try to make sure they understand the consequences of continuing their harmful behavior. Complicating matters, if the person is afflicted with a personality disorder, that can also make it very difficult for them to see their behavior as harmful.
So, to answer your question, yes, I believe even the most hardened of criminals have the potential to redeem themselves. But it is ultimately up to the person in question to realize and act on that potential. Unfortunately, some will not… be it by choice or their own inability to see the harm in their actions. But many do, and it is important to recognize and support them in the noble path to becoming a better person.