Discussion Thread: Faith-Based Prison Programs

Discussion Thread: Faith-Based Prison Programs Student’s Name Institution of Affiliation Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Discussion Thread: Faith-Based Prison Programs In most instances, people are incarcerated after committing a crime. The main reason for incarceration is to punish and rehabilitate them. Even though some could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, others are released after serving their sentence. Despite the prisons putting in place programs to rehabilitate them, they do not prepare them on how to face the world when their sentence ends. For example, they do not prepare them to handle the stigma and discrimination they likely face. One program that can help to address this issue is the faith-based prison reentry program. Since this program has faced mixed reactions, this paper will check the advantages and disadvantages of this program to determine whether it is worth it. One benefit of a faith-based prison reentry program is it reduces the rate of recidivism. People exposed to this faith based program have shown reduced risk of relapsing to criminal behavior. One reason is that the program gives the individual a spiritual responsibility. This principle is in John 8:1-11 where Jesus prevented Pharisees and teachers of law from stoning a woman whom they had found committing adultery (Nelson, 1982). This scripture shows that even though others have sinned, we should not judge them harshly since we have also sinned differently. Moreover, Jesus gave her the responsibility of not sinning anymore, which is similar to how faith-based prison reentry program encourages prisoners not to commit a crime after leaving prison. This program also offers the prisoners a support...