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Balance in the Prison System
The prison system needs to follow the example of Jesus and create a balance between the
restoration and punitive aspects of justice instead of solely punishment. When Peter denied
Christ three times, he had to live with the guilt of what he did, but after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus
restored Peter and asked him three times if he loved Him. This story is an example of Jesus
exercising restoration over punishment. The United States has the highest number of
incarcerations in the world (Bonta & Andrews, 2016). The United States believes in punishment
over rehabilitation and implemented a get-tough approach to imprisonment through the three
strikes rule, truth-in-sentencing, and overall making incarcerations more miserable for criminals
(Reese, 2019). In many other countries, such as Norway, Uganda, Scotland, and Singapore, the
recidivism rate is significantly lower than in the United States and focuses more on
rehabilitation. Norway has 72 per 100,000 compared to the United States, with 716 per 100,000
with a 76.6% return rate (Reese, 2019). What makes these other countries successful in their
prison system is their focus on rehabilitation over punishment, which drastically differs from the
United States’ approach to prison systems.
Current Systems
Punishment
The role of punishment in incarceration seeks to eliminate criminal behavior. Punishment
is a repercussion to behavior that lessens the likelihood of the behavior from happening again.
The psychology of punishment shows that punishment only works to eliminate criminal behavior
when following precise conditions, but those conditions are non-replicable in the prison system.
Conditions for an effective punishment are as follows: maximum intensity, immediacy, certainty,
no escape or reinforced alternatives, the density of punishment must outweigh the density of
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reinforcement, and the effectiveness of the punishment interacts with the person variables. These
conditions are near impossible to replicate, but even if replicable, it leaves many side effects on
the individual. While punishment suppresses some behaviors, it leaves the criminal with
undesirable behaviors. Side effects of punishment include interference with desirable behaviors
such as socializing due to a painful stimulus like beatings and attributions to punishment that
lead to resentment towards to punisher. In addition, learned helplessness, vicarious learning of
wrong behavior, such as children observing parents use aggressive behavior to deal with
offensive behavior, and an increase in the individual’s tolerance for punishment (Bonta &
Andrews, 2016). Prison systems seem to turn to more intense punishments as the years go by, but
the number of those incarcerated only seems to go up.
Restorative
An alternative to using punishment to decrease crime rates is restoration. With core
concepts of healing, collaboration, and making amends, restoration has the possibility of
replacing the get-tough idea of reducing crime. This approach shifts the outlook on how to deal
with offenders from punitive to more humane, direct techniques. The first restorative justice
program started in Canada and led to Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programs (VORPs). This
restoring program and others like it makes the offender view the crime as a violation of
interpersonal relationships. In addition, it also makes the offender and others harmed take
responsibility for the crime and correct the wrongs through conversation between the offender
and victim, which allows the offender to understand how the crime hurt the victim and make
amends. The victim and offender also discuss different possibilities on how each of them can
remedy the harm created by the crime. Through restorative justice, many impacts are possible on
criminal behavior. Enabling the offender to recognize how the crime impacted the victim goes
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against the offender’s original thoughts on the crime, increases their emotional empathy towards
the victim, and might stop future similar behavior (Bonta & Andrews, 2016). This process also
impacts the victim and lessens the possible feelings of resentment. In addition to affecting the
victim and the offender, restorative justice also affects the community and allows them to be a
support system, increase prosocial attitudes, and increase motivation for change. Jurg Gerber and
Eric Fritsch (1995, as cited in Reese, 2019) discovered restorative justice led to fewer
incarcerated disciplinary incidents, more educational opportunities, and increases in employment
opportunities. Through restorative justice, more humane ways of dealing with offenders come
about, and the goal of prison shifts from punishment and increasing hurt to rehabilitation and
treatment opportunities on how to help the offender, the victim, and the community.
Biblical Influence
Christianity believes in punishment but also restoration and the opportunity for second
chances. Jesus exemplified this aspect throughout His time on earth. Jesus had the perfect
balance between retribution and rehabilitation, and when He did punish, He did it for learning
and restoring. John 18 explains how on the night of Jesus’ trial, Peter denied Jesus three times,
the cock crowed, and Jesus’ eyes met Peter’s, and, at that moment, Peter knew he had let Jesus
down. Later, in John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus takes special care to reinstate Peter by
asking Him three times if Peter loved Him (New International Version, 2011). Peter went through
his punishment because he had to deal with the guilt and shame of denying Jesus and having to
look Him in the eyes. Jesus knew this and prioritized restoration at that moment instead of
punishment and berating. Jesus restored Peter and instructed him to strengthen the flock, which
Peter followed faithfully and did for many years (New International Version, 2011, John 21:18).
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Jesus is the perfect example of how to exert mercy and restoration with punishment and how to
use discernment on what is necessary at the moment.
For the Christian
Christians are to exemplify Christ; although they are not perfect, they do it to the best of
their ability. The current way individuals run the system does not show love or treat the inmates
as human beings. It shames them and does not bring about a restorative or educational idea,
which leads to many offenders returning to the prison they just left. The mean-spirited attitude
towards criminals does not show the love of God. In Arizona, they make the inmates wear pink
underwear, which brings shame and humiliation to them. Christians are to be the world’s light,
bringing hope where there is none and light where there is darkness.
Bonta and Andrews discuss “meanness justifications” and reasonings why some favor
extreme punishment. One justification is punishment is less expensive than rehabilitation. While
this is true, in the long run, because of repeat offenders and with the goal of treatment and
healing in mind, rehabilitation is better because it decreases the number of individuals
incarcerated and the number of tax dollars spent keeping them in prison. Another justification is
punishment deters, but punishment psychology shows punishment does not work in ordinary
prison situations. The only way punishment works are under specific conditions that are not
replicable in the prison system. Another justification is individuals believe people deserve
punishment. While this is true to some extent, taking a biblical worldview shows that the entire
world should receive the punishment of Hell because we are sinners, but God sent His Son to
bear the sins of the world so that the opportunity to go to Heaven is there. Although it is crucial
to remember there needs to be a balance between restoration and punishment, as Jesus did. In
addition, achieving “fairness” is challenging because, in many instances, the judgment some
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individuals receive is not fair such as the inconsistencies in sentencings among races and
differences in crime (Hickey, 2021). The last justification often used is the statement, “revenge
feels good.” The victim may feel satisfied for a short time, but studies show satisfaction is higher
when the criminal understands that revenge is justified (2016). Taking a biblical perspective, the
Bible says to turn the other cheek (New International Version, 2011, Matthew 5:39). It also says
the vengeance is the Lord’s, not man’s (New International Version, 2011, Deuteronomy 32:35).
Considering the two verses, it is vital to understand that God delivers vengeance, and it is not
man’s job. God is perfect and gives the exact consequence He plans. It is up to God whether or
not He chooses to give a punishment or retribution just as He did with Peter.
Conclusion
The current prison system prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation, and other countries
prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, but Jesus exemplified the perfect combination of
retribution and rehabilitation. Prison systems in the United States should focus on lessening the
inhumane way of treating its inmates through embarrassment and shame and bringing restoration
and the chance of growth, healing, and amenity back into the picture so the number of repeat
offenders and criminal incarcerated go down. Jesus is the perfect example, and He is whom the
world should follow. Christians should exemplify Christ and show God’s love towards criminals
and treat them humanely because God loves them too.
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References
Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. (2016). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct (6th Edition). Taylor &
Francis. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781317387404
Hickey, T. (Ed). (2021). Psychology of Criminal Behavior. McGraw-Hill.
New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/
New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklist
Reese, R. (2019). The Prison Education Project. International Review of Education, 65(5), 687-
709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-017-9695-5
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