“I don’t really like saying the person should be shot. However, if we’re trying to prevent him from causing further severe harm to others ................-”
I so agree!
“In addition, the system limits the possibility of genuine rehabilitation for many by restricting Christian programs for prisoners. Prison Fellowship’s programs have an excellent success rate in reducing bad behavior in prison and recidivism. However, the system cannot acknowledge that turning repeat offenders into productive, law-abiding, born-again Christians is an improvement.”
I was not aware of this! Do you know for how long this has been going on and in what states?
I know some protestants in my area who do prison work, they seem to have no trouble. I have even known some Muslims (yes I know everyone) to go into the jails. The Catholics, and Mrs. D you should know if this, have the Legion of Mary http://www.legionofmary.ie/ which visits people in jail and seems to have a positive affect.
I agree there should be more Christians visiting the jails and they should be allowed.
I saw a documentary of Jeff Dahmer and that he converted to Christianity. He was even baptized in prison before he was murdered. I know these people do have a positive affect.
It's not that people can do visitation, hold programs, and so on, but Prison Fellowship has a program in which they, in essence, operate part of a prison according to their principles which they've found effective in rehabilitation. Inmates have to agree to participate, they can't just be assigned there.
In at least one state, a program was operating that was very effective in reducing prison violence/crime and recidivism, but it was threatened or shut down because someone in the system objected to its being overtly Christian, with mandatory services, Bible study, and prayer for the participants.
It might have been Texas; I'm vague on details, but I remember reading about it.