on the real HFP

I had two "wake-up calls" this week, and I'm thankful for both of them.

The first took place in a church board meeting. I was making a presentation (begging, actually) for some office space because it appears that we must move. Even though I believe our mission statement clearly spells out our position, I discovered that some others interpret it quiet differently. Some feel that we are "do-gooders," just wanting to free prisoners.

The second hit me during a telephone conversation with a friend whom I was asking (begging, actually) to consider serving on our board of directors. This person said that, based on the messages sent out on our email network, it appeared, to him, that we took the position that most prisoners are innocent!

This means that others must feel this way!

Let me quickly dissect our mission statement in a simple effort to clarify the position of HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS.

Seeking rightful resolutions to wrongful convictions
WE DO NOT believe that all prisoners are innocent. Prisons are there for a very important reason: Many criminals are not fit to roam freely among society.
WE DO believe that there are many innocent people in prison. Some estimates range as high as 15%, while a New York Times article placed the figure more like 3%. Only someone wearing blinders could think that a judicial system is right 100% of the time. Among Michigan's 50,000 prisoners, 1,500 innocent inmates, in our opinion, is an unacceptable figure!

Advocating appropriate release for inmates who have served prescribed time
WE DO NOT believe that every prisoner eligible for parole deserves parole. Many more factors must be considered in order to protect society.
WE DO believe that if approximately 20% of Michigan's prisoners are eligible for parole, there must be some in that group who deserve to be released.

Defending the constitutional right to receive adequate prison medical care
WE DO NOT believe that prisoners deserve regular treatment at the Mayo Clinic.
WE DO believe that if a prisoner has broken a tooth and is suffering the excruciating pain of an exposed nerve, he should not have to wait three months for a dental appointment.

Pursuing compassionate action on behalf of prisoners facing imminent death
WE DO NOT believe that just because a vicious criminal is dying, he deserves freedom.
WE DO believe that even the most vicious criminal, at the time of death, is not a threat to society, and perhaps arrangements could be made for him/her to spend final hours in a hospice with immediate family members nearby.

Considering assistance for other prisoners with critical needs
WE DO NOT believe that a prisoner deserves all of the luxuries and benefits of the free. That defeats the reason for incarceration.
WE DO believe that if, for example, a prisoner's wife who is not an American citizen faces deportation because of a technical glitch, we should try to help if we can.

Facilitating reentry, when possible, for freed prisoners
WE DO NOT believe that all freed prisoners are saints.
WE DO believe that if the freed prisoner can be assisted in learning how to reenter society, in finding a job, and in finding a decent place to live, there is a better chance that he/she will not return to prison.

Does that help explain our position?

We do our best to follow the advice of St. Francis of Assisi: PREACH THE GOSPEL EVERY DAY! USE WORDS IF NECESSARY.

If questions remain, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Doug Tjapkes, President
HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS
20 W. Muskegon Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440

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