This sounds interesting. I wonder how you've been thinking about the relationship between legal guilt and moral guilt. There is a trope in American jurisprudence that when prisoners reform their characters, it may be a type of repentance, and I wonder to what extent you've been questioning this notion, especially considering the literature in your scope falls immediately within the turn away from legal positivism.

I really enjoyed reading your reflection. One thing that stood out to me was your excitement about moving from preliminary work into a more sustained research experience. It sounds like you've already learned a lot from the challenges you encountered, and I think it's great that you're approaching those setbacks as opportunities to learn more rather than as obstacles.

I also appreciated your point about how research can connect to much bigger questions beyond the immediate project itself. One of the things I've enjoyed most about the Laidlaw program so far is seeing how many different directions people's work can take while still engaging with broader issues that affect society.

Your reflection also reminded me that a big part of research is learning how to navigate uncertainty. Whether it's troubleshooting methods, finding the right sources, or building knowledge in a new area, there always seems to be a process of figuring things out as you go. It sounds like you're approaching that process with a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm.

I'm excited to see where your project goes over the summer, and I hope the next few weeks bring some interesting discoveries along the way. Also, Mama's Too and Riverside Park sounds like a pretty great way to kick off the program.