With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice, four years working inside a maximum‑security prison, three years with the a state bureau of investigation, and one year supporting the Drug Enforcement Administration, my worldview has been shaped by firsthand experience with people at their most extreme, vulnerable, and unpredictable moments. True crime isn’t just entertainment—it’s a window into the patterns, motivations, and hidden layers of human behavior. Over the years, I’ve learned that crime reveals more about human nature than most textbook theories ever could. The biggest aspect that has shaped my worldview on crime and human nature is the hands-on experience with criminals. My experience in working in a prison helped me realize that we are all one decision away from being in prison. You may not think that is true, but I promise you it is.
People Are More Complex Than Their Crimes
One of the biggest lessons from working in corrections and investigations is that people are rarely just “good” or “bad.” I met individuals who made horrifying choices but showed compassion, intelligence, or remorse. I also met people who seemed polite and stable yet carried dark motivations beneath the surface. Crime forces you to confront the fact that humans are layered, contradictory, and shaped by far more than what appears in a case summary. Although I will not name names in this blog, I can recall working inside the prison and meeting a person who was in prison for murdering his best friend. He was only a few years older than me at the time, but he showed remorse. He understood that his actions were horrific and although his substance abuse likely contributed to the choice, he did not blame that, he showed ownership. Whereas I also met more than one serial killer and there was no remorse, and just pure black eyes that told you that they didn’t care about you or likely anyone else.
Environment Shapes Behavior More Than We Admit
Across hundreds of interviews, case reviews, and prison interactions, one pattern is undeniable: environment creates conditions, and conditions influence choices. Poverty, trauma, unstable homes, lack of support, or even sheer desperation often played bigger roles than innate “criminality.” This doesn’t excuse behavior, but it does explain how people end up on paths they never imagined. I am sure we can all think back to a time when our environment influenced a choice we made whether for better or worse.
The Human Need for Control Drives More Actions Than We Realize
In both investigations and prison settings, control—loss of it or hunger for it—was an underlying theme. Crimes driven by fear, dominance, survival, or retaliation all trace back to someone trying to regain a sense of power. Understanding this changed the way I look at motivation in general; people simply want to feel like they matter, like they belong, and like they have control over their lives. This is a part of our daily lives. We seek control of situations and when we don’t have control or feel we are spiraling, it can led to anxiety, depression, or outbursts in behavior. The real interesting aspect of this from working in a prison is the battle that some individuals have with control and thus they exert the control they have through being tough on those incarcerated. I often thought this was a lack in their own lives so they have to play badass at work. It is always a good reminder that prisons are to keep people in, not continue their punishment, which was established by the court system.
Most People Want to Be Seen and Heard
Working with offenders taught me how invisible many people feel. Some committed crimes simply because they believed no one cared about their struggles or pain. Even in investigations, suspects responded differently when treated with dignity. True crime shows us that acknowledgment—being seen and heard—can change outcomes in profound ways. In our own lives when we are struggling we want to be heard, seen, and allowed to vent. This is not an excuse for criminal behavior by any means, but it can help us all relate to each other on a human level.
Redemption Is Possible, but It Requires Accountability
Across my career, I witnessed moments of genuine change—but true redemption always began with accountability. Those who confronted their choices directly had the highest chance of transformation. This taught me that human nature is flexible, but growth requires honesty, responsibility, and intention. I will never forget being in a Wal-Mart and hearing someone call me CCO Young, which was my name while I worked in a prison, I immediately stiffened because first the only person that would say that would be a former incarcerated person, second you do not know their intention just by hearing your name called. I turned around and it was a formerly incarcerated person and they told me how they were out, which was obvious, and that they were doing good and had a job. They seemed to genuinely be excited to turn their life around. I cannot tell you how happy that made me. I understand that the majority, and when I say majority I mean 95% ,of incarcerated individuals are released. I am so happy that some of them want to make a positive change in their life and not return.
True crime gave me a raw, unfiltered education on human nature. People are layered; environments influence decisions; fear and control shape behavior; acknowledgment matters; and change is possible—if accountability is present. My years in the criminal justice system taught me that understanding people requires curiosity, boundaries, and compassion. Crime isn’t just about what happened—it’s about why it happened and what it reveals about us all. Although in a lot of instances we will never understand the why.
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