Leopards cannot change their spots

This maybe a little controversial, and I am prepared to be shot down in flames by those who have letters after their name and those who deal purely in theory, but like the heading says, I have come to believe leopards cannot change their spots.

This was not what I originally believed. Before joining probation & parole for a time I actually believed people could be reformed by education and a will for change. For many of the people I dealt with, they did change their behavior for a period of time. Some I believed wholeheartedly they had changed until shown evidence, that they hadn't. 

Human nature is forged by a combination of nurture and nature, what experiences you have and what environment you are exposed to, and to a lesser extent your genetics that can predispose you to certain illnesses and behaviors. The nurture component appears to have most affect in the young to adolescent period of life, and tends to set up patterns that individuals usually follow for the remainder of their life.

 Many people try and change their behavioral patterns particularly if society tends to disapprove of their behavior. I'm not just talking about illegal behavior now but society places many social norms on it's citizens in order to gain conformation. Their is social peer pressure to behave normally and not rock the boat. For those who have through a combination of experience, nurture and nature behavior falls outside what is considered normal, there is a potential of lifetime hardships as they are shunned, ridiculed or have to develop a myriad of methods to hide their real behaviors. Most of these people genuinely try and conform to societal values. For this they deserve credit. And perhaps a level of understanding. 

But my experience has shown me that sooner or later, if the right amount of pressure is placed on the individuals, whether it be financial, family, social, or illness, they revert back to their true nature, and what they are most comfortable doing. Behavior also resets back to its own predisposed state when open opportunity arises, and the person believes they can behave in a way without any consequence, or without being exposed. 

I have seen this in a number of instances but two in particular come to mind. One gentleman was released from jail with conditions and he surprised all and sundry by his remorse and with his fast progress back into general society. He had a supportive family, got a good job and seemed to be ticking all the boxes for successful reintegration. Then one night I got a call to go and see him for he had been arrested. It seems that opportunity had been placed in front of him and despite having everything to lose, he could not help himself from following old behavioral patterns. I was genuinely surprised, shocked and saddened. 

The other also involves a gentleman who again was remorseful of his crimes when released, again with conditions placed on him. He was keen to get a job and re-enter into society. However he was placed in questionable accommodation, and despite having a supportive family soon had relationship issues. This along with the inability to find work quickly led to financial pressure, which then led to a revisiting of old familiar behavioral patterns. Again I was saddened, but not this time really surprised. 

We all are predisposed to some form of behaviours that are not necessarily accepted by society. When the right amount of pressure and opportunity align themselves at the same time it seems only the truly strong of will can suppress the urge to revert back to is known to the individual, what they feel comfortable with.

What do you believe? Do you really think people through education and strength of will or societal pressure can affect lasting change in their behaviour? 

I am open to all opinions and I am certainly willing to listen and learn from those wiser than me. Thanks for the read.