The issue of mass incarceration has been a major topic of discussion for decades.
Part of the discussion is the influence on the war on drugs the sentence disparity
among certain races of people. The discussion, in part, was the narrative Michelle
Alexander discusses in her book. This student author studied the subject as an
undergrad student in the late ‘1970s. The problems mentioned in the mass
incarceration dialog was the same back then, when Ms. Alexander published her
book, as well as today. Crime at one time was generally considered an act, of which,
was caused by the individual. Nevertheless, the causes of crime can be complicated.
As studies on human behavior evolved, so have the theories of why people commit
crime. While scripture teaches that the environment has a strong influence on a
person (McQuilken and Copan 2017 , 430), Scripture also reveals that God provides a
way out of committing a crime
(1 Corinthians 10:13).
i i i i i i i i i i The prison industry is a huge profit. Granted, prisons are needed for the
hardened criminals and those who commit more serious crimes, but not everyone
needs to be imprisoned, especially those who commit minor drug possession
offenses or small crimes. Incarceration wreaks havoc on the family as well as the
prisoner. Emotional, mental health issues and problems in schools directly affects
children of incarcerated parents (Parke 2001). Consequently, 10-15 years later, those
same children grow up and as adults, have full blown mental health, anger,
relationships issues, as well as problems in the work force.
i i i i i i i i i i While Christians learn to do good, they still must seek justice, correct
oppression and bring justice (Isaiah 1:17). The Christian responsibility for criminal
justice is to help prisoners (Matthew 25:36). Jesus identified with the oppressed and
outcasts. Christians are given freewill (Revelation 22:17). However, in the heart, man
plans his own course, even when the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
Jesus tells Christians that if they help prisoners, they will inherit the kingdom
(Matthew 25:36) Therefore, it is up to Christians to help and serve one another
humbly, in love (Galatians 5:13). The best way to do that is to get involved and
institute programs that will help those who are destined for prison, as well as those
who return from prison and reenter society. Churches need to galvanize the
community and implement Church sponsored programs that will teach, instill, and
reinforce ones moral formation. While the family is the birth place of moral formation,
the disruption of the family unit is one of the reasons that crime is rampant today.
There is failure in moral formation in the family (Justice Declaration, 2021). Early
training at home informs and establishes a child’s moral compass. Churches
focusing on families can help to build stronger neighborhoods which would be a good
source for moral formation.
i i i i i i i i i McQuilkin and Copan (2017) provides several alternatives to imprisonment
ranging from deprivation of privilege to corporal punishment. i One of the alternatives
that can be expanded is in the area of monetary fines or expropriation of property (p.
436). While this alternative sounds good, thousands of people still sit in jail because
they cannot pay their bail because cash is required. It is a start, to address the
problem, but poor people cannot afford overwhelming fees and fines (Matthews and
Curiel, 2019). One of the best alternatives is the community service assignment,
especially for small crimes. Community service assignments are great alternatives,
especially for juveniles because it allows them to give back to the community as well
as teaching sound work ethics and responsibility.
Word Count: 590
Bibliography
Justicedeclaraton.org. Responding to Crime and Incarceration: A Call to the Church.
Retrieved from https://www.prisonfellowship.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/08/Justice-Declaration-White-Paper_FINAL.pdf
McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan. 2017. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in
the Way of Wisdom. Downer’s Grove, IL
Matthews, J. II, and Curiel, F. (2019, November 30). Criminal Justice Debt Problems.
Retrieved from
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_ho
me/economic-justice/criminal-justice-debt-problems/
Parke, R. D., & Clarke-Stewart, K. A. (2001, December 1). The Effects of Parental
Incarceration on Young Children. Retrieved from https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-
report/effects-parental-incarceration-young-children
