50 years, a low productive person could still make his way in the US, even if he was just a janitor or manual laborer. Today, the same low productive person is locked out of many jobs, because the requirements for that job are higher, though the actual prerequisite skills are still pretty low.
Not excusing the criminal set, but many low skilled people are locked out of being able to improve their situation.
I suggest they get some skills. Not hard at all.
Besides, it’s still very easy for a young, non-skilled person to get an entry level job. There are a lot of young kids working at our local Publix and Kroger. In a normal economy of course.
You start there, work up to cashier or some department, become an assistant manager and maybe someday a manager. It just takes time.