When has somebody paid their debt to society?

I was watching a show this morning about how they've managed to help heal a lot of the dogs that the evil filthy Michael Vick destroyed with his dog fighting ring (and considering they are thinking of reinstating him into the NFL), when I saw this as well:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/05/08/hood/index.html?eref=T1

Do you agree with Andy Staples? Does the guy deserve another chance?

I have no problem with Hood playing, but I do wish the scholarship had a 'good character' clause.

So he's done his time, paid his dues; time to move on.

While I can accept that the STATE cannot continue to impose penalties beyond what was originally given, what about larger society?

When a company doesn't hire someone with a criminal past is it because of fear of further criminal activity, or because of the criminal past?

It's a bit of a can of worms... what conditions can we attach to a punishment... and what is fear of recommittal?

So should we erase his conviction too? The thing about criminal offending is that there's never a 'clean slate', something always stays with the individual. (The exception being the Clean Slate Act which actually does wipe out convictions :> but only is certain, limited circumstances)

When it comes to conferral of benefits, such as a scholarships, grants, etc its arguable that those who might be considered to be of 'bad character' ought not be entitled to the same benefits as those who are not. I'm not sure whether I necessarily agree with that argument, but I recognize it.