The news and newspapers continue to bring up names and events and pains that have tried to be forgotten. Sleepless nights and depressed days follow. Years go by and nothing changes. The pain never fully heals, the anger and resentment never fully goes away. And for the offender in prison it's often much the same.
Crimes affect the offender too.
The inmate sits in prison day after day, month after month, year after year. Guilt and regret often set in. Many men, given the chance to reflect on their lives, are changed. They hate what they've done. They yearn to make up for it.