A Lenten suggestion: hold our anger against mistreatment of prisoners!

Shameful reports about Michigan’s prison system in recent Detroit Free Press stories just about send me into a frenzy! Investigative reporter Paul Egan tells about falsified cell search records and metal detector lapses; corrections officers arrested for beating and breaking bones of a misbehaving inmate; a federal judge blasting the MDOC’s grievance process; and the leader of Michigan’s House of Representatives promising no prison reform for the next two years! 

My first reaction is indignance. The longer I think about it, the angrier I get. As a writer I feel prodded to raise hell, and I’ve done my share of that over the years. 

As many of you know, in 2001 I formed an organization to help incarcerated men and women in Michigan. Despite the claim that our prison occupants are “the worst of the worst,” as described by a former MDOC director, I have found that to be untrue. Some of the nicest people I know live in prison. Some of my best friends are locked in these cages. Here are some others who are NOT the worst: approximately one thousand Michigan inmates who have been wrongly convicted; many more who have been over-sentenced or over-charged; and still many more who are very old and/or very sick. 

Regardless of their reputation, HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS is determined to treat everyone behind Michigan bars with kindness and compassion, doing our best to assure these people that they matter. Despite the political “get tough on crime” crowd, with their “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” attitude, it is imperative that we keep in mind that incarceration is the punishment. We may not, we must not make things worse for them because “they don’t deserve it.” Up to 90% of them are going to be released someday, and decent treatment will certainly contribute toward making them better neighbors when they get out. 

So, in this season of Lent, I’m thinking that perhaps you and I should take a softer approach. After all, some of the department’s administrators do believe in prison reform and are doing their best to bring about improvement. While there are some bad apples in the bushel, many corrections officers, despite excessive overtime hours, do carry out their tasks with fairness and integrity. And, there are elected officials on both sides of the aisle who do continue to push for desperately needed prison, parole and sentence reform. 

So, here’s what I’m suggesting. Let’s pray. I mean it! 

It’s easy to pray for men and women who are incarcerated. But, I’m advocating that we expand our scope. For example, let’s remember those prison administrators who are trying to make things better; underpaid and overworked corrections officers; and, elected officials who have the ability to bring about change. Let's not stop there, but pray for a change of heart for those who want no change, no improvement. 

Please don’t get me wrong. We must not weaken. Pray, yes…but do not stop there. Continue to speak out, continue to stand for all things good and fair, and continue to stick up for “the little guy!” 

...if all you do is pray and sit back waiting for God to do all the work, you do not really understand the character of God, the gospel, or what it means to be called by God.

-Joel Pelsue 

"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."

- St. Augustine