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).
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.
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.
McQuilkin and Copan (2017) provides several alternatives to
imprisonment ranging from deprivation of privilege to corporal
punishment. 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_maga
zine_home/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
fromhttps://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/effects-parental-incarceration-
young-children
