Martha Stewart was charged, tried and convicted of a crime in 2004. As she neared the end of her prison sentence, a well-known columnist wrote that she was “paying her dues,” and that “there is simply no reason for anyone to attempt to deny her right to start anew.”

    Surely, the American ideal of second chances should not be reserved only for the rich and powerful. Unfortunately, many federal and state laws impose post-conviction restrictions on a shockingly large number of Americans, who are prevented from ever fully paying their debt to society.

    At least 65 million people in the United States have a criminal record. This can result in severe penalties that continue long after punishment is completed.

    Many of these penalties are imposed regardless of the seriousness of the offense or the person’s individual circumstances. Laws can restrict or ban voting, access to public housing, and professional and business licensing. They can affect a person’s ability to get a job and qualification for benefits.

    In all, more than 45,000 laws and rules serve to exclude vast numbers of people from fully participating in American life.

    Some laws make sense. No one advocates letting someone convicted of pedophilia (恋童癖) work in a school. But too often collateral (随附的) consequences bear no relation to public safety. Should a woman who possessed a small amount of drugs years ago be permanently unable to be licensed as a nurse?

    These laws are also counterproductive, since they make it harder for people with criminal records to find housing or land a job, two key factors that reduce backsliding.

    A recent report makes several recommendations, including the abolition of most post-conviction penalties, except for those specifically needed to protect public safety. Where the penalties are not a must, they should be imposed only if the facts of a case support it.

    The point is not to excuse or forget the crime. Rather, it is to recognize that in America’s vast criminal justice system, second chances are crucial. It is in no one’s interest to keep a large segment of the population on the margins of society.

53.C) They are marginalized in society.

解析：推断题，由consequences 和many Americans with a criminal record定位到第三段，This can result in severe penalties that continue long after punishment is completed,以及第四段，Laws can restrict or ban voting, access to public housing, and professional and business licensing. They can affect a person's ability to get a job and qualification for benefits.即使刑满释放了，还要接受继续的严重的惩罚，包括剥夺了选举权，享有公共住房的权利，取得相关从业资格的权利以及相关的福利的权利。即享受不到这些公民正常享有的权利，被社会排挤，边缘化。A项终身贫穷，B项剥夺所有社会福利，太绝对。D项被家庭抛弃未提及。