Prison Reform

Christ talked of the poor, the imprisoned, and the oppressed among those disenfranchised from the “kingdom of this world.” As Christians, we are called to see the face of Christ in all we meet, to strive for justice in the command of the prophet Micah, and to be disciples of change for those least able to advocate for themselves.


The United States had 5% of the world’s total population, yet 25% of the world’s incarcerated population. Today, one out of every 99 Americans is in a state or federal penitentiary; tragically, we have a greater percentage of our population jailed (disproportionately greater among persons of color) than any nation on earth. The cost of $37,000 per year to incarcerate a person, the devastating impact to children of the incarcerated, and the inevitable parole of inmates and high rate of recidivism (average 66%) calls us to witness as to the need to transform our penal institutions.


Below, you will hear voices, who speak of that need from personal experience, trauma or concern.


Voices:
“Welcome Back, to that Same Old Place that You Laughed About – John Sebastian”
An article by Evan Missula, a former Employee of Exodus Transitional Community, a prison reentry program, which is located in Spanish Harlem, New York City.


Transformation: Making Your Life Work
An article by John Valverde


Links of interest:
TAPPED BLOG: “THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 2009″
The Group Blog of the American Prospect (www.prospect.org)