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People of faith called on to help offenders
Published June 26, 2007
The biggest gap between what people of faith say and do is in the area of criminal justice.
“We say we believe in redemption,” said Lib McGregor Simmons, pastor of University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. “Then we treat them (offenders) as if they can’t change.”
McGregor Simmons moderated a seminar titled “The Faith Community Responds” at the inaugural National Restorative Justice Conference held through mid-day Wednesday at Schreiner University. The purpose of the conference is to address ways communities can formulate constructive resolutions for disputes, repair harms and manage the re-integration of ex-offenders back into society.
Communities of all faiths not only should, but have a moral obligation to support offenders returning to society, McGregor Simmons said.
“I do think there is a call of courage in what clergy do and say,” McGregor Simmons told the nearly three dozen attendees. “I have the possibility of really mattering. People are paying attention to what we are saying and not saying.”
Carol Lockett, executive director of Bexar County Detention Ministries in San Antonio and one of five panelists, said she has approached several churches in San Antonio about sponsoring the offender re-entry program with donations of $100-$120. She said she has been disappointed repeatedly by the lack of support.
“They all listen politely and say they have their own ministries to support,” said Lockett, who worked 28 years with youth in juvenile detention facilities. “I think a lot of people are afraid of the offender population.”
Lockett speculated that people might feel that others, such as children or people with disabilities, are more deserving, because they weren’t hurt by their own doing. In contrast, offenders face challenges after being jailed for their own actions.
People in general sometimes remark: “They’re criminals. Why would I want to help them?”
What a lot of people don’t realize is that many offenders are involved in that cycle because their parents were in and out of jail. Once they’re in the criminal justice system, they may try to get their lives on track, but they can’t make it, Lockett said.
Panelists differed on their responses to a question about the granting of government money to fund religious-based programs for offenders.
The Rev. Louise Stowe-Johns said that when government agencies fund faith-based organizations, they aren’t adding to the resources, but ignoring their own responsibilities to provide services.
“I’m not saying we should be a socialist state,” said Stowe-Johns, who also spoke about the role of mediation in church settings. “It annoys me the way we (faith-based organizations) get used and discarded.”
Lockett said government funding helps organizations like hers. Government funding recipients just have to be careful about using funds specifically for social services and not religious-based activities.
The other three panelists also addressed a variety of topics.
Sally Bethea of San Antonio’s Women at the Well talked about the challenges women offenders face transitioning back to society. In many cases, they have no job skills, came from abusive relationships and have struggled with substance abuse.
Jean Humphreys of Daughters of Abraham discussed a need for re-classifying ourselves by definitions other than race and religion.
Ruth Armstrong, who also has researched Biblical interpretations of justice and the death penalty, said faith-based communities need to be involved in offenders’ lives before they are released into open society. Offenders who have found faith in prison many times get out to find no one of that faith is willing to help them.
Instead, the place they felt most secure was in prison.
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