Guest: We can either be responsible to prisoners now — or keep being responsible for them

Why do prison ministries focus on eternity but little to nothing on restorative justice in this life?

The Church’s Role in Transforming Prison Cultures

On July 16, 2003, I entered the Oklahoma County jail wearing the same clothing as the day I was brought in nine months earlier, wearing handcuffs.

I wasn’t a criminal by nature. As a little boy, I was molested, and cocaine became my coping mechanism for that trauma. Unfortunately, drugs cost me my job, and I found myself facing repossession of my car and foreclosure on my home.

In the winter of 2001, I quit using drugs, but one crime led to another. To save my home, I resorted to selling stolen auto parts from a national retailer.

9/11 changed America forever, and it scared me into living right. I quit my criminal activities, but a year later, I was arrested. Bail was set at $250,000, which I couldn’t afford. Eventually, I was convicted of receiving and concealing stolen property and conspiracy.

According to Department of Justice statistics, 57% of offenders reoffend within the first year, and the recidivism rate within five years is 83%. Although I successfully completed my probation and paid $5,000 in restitution, my debt to society is far from over.

I cannot escape or undo what I did as a young man. I have now lived as an adult with a criminal record for three times as long as I did without one. Over the past 20 years, I have faced financial, social, and professional struggles.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Reintegration

• Housing is the first major challenge after being released from prison, and it remains an ongoing struggle.
• Reintegration into society is crucial for former prisoners, and it requires support in various aspects of life.
• Financial stability, social acceptance, and professional opportunities are essential for successful reintegration.

Despite my flaws, I strive to be a gentleman. Principles and values guide my life. I present myself in a clean-cut, well-dressed, and well-spoken manner. I have a clean driving record, and I treat law enforcement with respect. I am also known for my irrational generosity. While I may have a criminal record, I do not have a criminal’s heart.

Oklahoma is located in the Bible Belt, with numerous churches scattered throughout the state. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values, with grace at the center of those values. Jesus Himself spent time with social outcasts, such as Matthew the tax collector and Paul the murderer who took pride in killing Christians. Jesus touched lepers and defended adulterers and prostitutes.

It is puzzling that prison ministries often focus solely on eternity and neglect restorative justice in this life. The responsibility for criminal justice reform lies not only with state legislatures but also with the Church. The Church has the potential to transform prison cultures, but this cannot be achieved through church services alone.

The Role of the Church in Criminal Justice Reform

1. The Church must prioritize restorative justice and rehabilitation programs within prisons.
2. By focusing on the lives of prisoners now, the Church can demonstrate the transformative power of faith.
3. Oklahoma, with its high incarceration rates, has the opportunity to lead the way in reducing recidivism and creating a more just society.

Almost every prisoner will eventually reenter society, whether we like it or not. We can either take responsibility for their successful reintegration or continue to be responsible for their repeated offenses.

I believe in this greater calling, and it gives me hope. If others embrace the same mission, we can change the world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems.
• Indicator for SDG 4.3: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
• Indicator for SDG 5.5: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.
• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty	SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.	Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems.
SDG 4: Quality Education	SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.	Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
SDG 5: Gender Equality	SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.	Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.	Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.	Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.	Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: yahoo.com

 

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