Challenges in our Penitentiaries
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)
Our judicial system is imperfect. Sadly, some innocent men and women are unjustly incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. The prison system is also too often used as a present-day alternative to the old mental hospitals. Yet, there are still times when prisons are necessary. Prisons, those who are incarcerated, and those victimized by their crimes all need greater justice. On September 29, 2022, a Washington Post article entitled, “Opinion: Thousands were released from prison during covid. The results are shocking,” the author confirmed. To protect those most vulnerable to covid-19 during the pandemic, the Cares Act allowed the Justice Department to order the release of people in federal prisons and place them on home confinement.
The prison releases during Covid did not include murderers or sex offenders, but focused on home confinement from two groups: the elderly and the ill. The article confirms, “Study after study confirms that people become less likely to reoffend as they get older. America’s elderly prison population is growing rapidly because of our use of lengthy prison terms.” The ill prisoners are also a financial drain on the judicial system. “They [the ill inmates] are not dangerous, but their increased medical needs make them exponentially more expensive to incarcerate.” Prison costs are so expensive that it would be cheaper to provide welfare and medical care from their home, and the community would not be at risk.
The Washington Post article clarifies, “At a time when crime is going up in so many cities and towns, we cannot afford to waste money or resources keeping those who no longer need to be in prison, locked up.” Reflection on the justice system in our country is an ethical faith issue because it calls us to respond appropriately to those who are unable to care for themselves. Further, government dollars are a justice issue. Increased spending in one area of our society means other worthy programs go underfunded.
Today, pray for our justice system and the men and women who are incarcerated. Then, pray for the guards and other prison officials. Finally, pray for the complexity of our society's challenges in attempting to provide safety and security for all our people. Throughout Scripture, there are concerns for the imprisoned. Why stop caring now?!