Discussion Board 3
Historically, criminal activity has been viewed as an expression of a sinful
nature and the accountability for those actions fell on those individuals because
of the choices they have made. However, studies over the last century have
shown that in some cases, such as mental illness, the person is not necessarily
responsible. Robertson McQuilkin states, “The end result of the general
acceptance of this approach was to distinguish between criminals who were
normal and thus responsible for their crime and those who were abnormal and
needed treatment, not punishment.”[1] However, in light of the United States'
battle with illegal drug use, the punishment does not always seem to fit the
crime.
c c c c c c c c c An increasing number of the country uses or has tried an illegal
substance. In 2013, it was reported that “24.6 million Americans 12 or older
(9.4% of the population) had used an illicit drug in the past month.”[2] While
illegal drug use normally begins with peer pressure or curiosity, the effects of
the drug can be addicting leading to the user experiencing difficulties stopping
the usage. In most cases, the purpose of punishment for illegal drug use is to
be a deterrent, McQuilkin proclaims, “if sure and swift punishment is the
greatest deterrent, our present system can hardly be expected to deter.”[3] Yet,
while the focus of the battle should be on those providing the illegal drugs,
those incarcerated for its use without proper avenues for treatment do not
seem to fit the rehabilitation purpose of punishment. The reason, McQuilkin
explains, is that “most Western governments have abandoned such efforts.”[4]
Though few incarcerated persons suffering from drug addictions, the NIDA
states, “Initiating drug abuse treatment in prison and continuing it upon release
is vital to both individual recovery and to public health and safety.”[5] However,
rehabilitation in the case of illegal drug use should be the first response of the
legal system with the goal to provide a path for the person to be a contributor
to society. Because once labeled as a criminal, the chances of that are slim.
Michell Alexander agrees, “Even when released from the system’s formal
control, the stigma of criminality lingers.”[6] Therefore, the Christian response
should be to advocate for such responses, especially for first or second
offenses, in lieu of incarceration.
c c c c c c c c c Though the Christian should advocate for rehabilitation prior to
incarceration, Christians still have a responsibility in participating in the
rehabilitation process while incarcerated through sharing Christ. McQuilkin
agrees, “the church and individual Christians must do all within their power to
promote the one thing that can rehabilitate—regeneration.”[7] Like Prison
Fellowship mentioned by McQuilkin, I have served with the Kairos Prison
Ministry creating friendships, sharing the gospel, and the forgiveness that is
found through Jesus Christ. It is a powerful ministry that has not only impacted
those incarcerated for illegal drugs but those who have committed more
heinous crimes such as rape and murder. I disagree with the author when he
states, “To say ‘you can’t legislate morality’ is false.”[8] Someone once said,
“The reason we have thousands of pages of laws today is that humanity could
not follow 10.” It is the power of a changed heart through Jesus Christ and the
work of the Holy Spirit that uncovers the morality of God’s image-bearer. As a
result, while many of these men may never see the other side of the fence,
their rehabilitated life provides them an opportunity to contribute to the cause
of Christ while inside. Therefore, while the Christian response includes the
desire for justice and the protection of the innocent, the church and the
individual Christian must seek out the lost sheep, going to where they are.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [1] Robert McQuilkin and Paul Copan, An Introduction to Biblical
Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom, (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013),
429.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [2] SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug
Abuse?,” Substance Abuse, Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-
addiction/illegal-drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [3] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 432.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [4] Ibid.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [5] NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in
addressing drug addiction?." National Institute on Drug Abuse, June 3, 2020,
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
c c c c c c c c c c c c [6] Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in
the Age of Colorblindness, (The New Press, 2012), 141.
c c c c c c c c c c [7] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 441.
c c c c c c c c c c [8] Ibid., 431.
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c Bibliography
Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Colorblindness, The New Press, 2012,
McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in
the Way of Wisdom. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013.
NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in addressing drug
addiction?." National Institute on Drug Abuse, June 3, 2020.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug Abuse?,” Substance
Abuse, Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-addiction/illegal-
drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021. c c c c
