I think it really depends on what that record is for and whether or not they deserved their sentence or regret the decision. I have had lots of friends who've been to jail for small offenses and a couple who had been to prison for a variety of larger offenses. Although I love and respect a particular friend who went to prison (for assault and theft no less) but I wouldn't ever be able to date him.

There's a difference between a drunk and disorderly when you were 16 and kidnapping when you're 23, you know?

I'm a pretty straight arrow. I respect laws for the most part and I've never even gotten a speeding ticket! But there are lots of people that I've been interested in or dated who have records for standing up for what they believe in (mostly pipeline barricades or protests).

So, idk. I guess it really really really depends but I don't think going to jail makes you a bad person. It might mean you've made some poor choices, it might demonstrate that you'll continue to make poor choices but it also might show something else entirely.