Why do we have jails and prisons?
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
This week it’s been hard to decide on the topic to write about. There are just so many things going on in our town, county, state, country, and world.
As much as I sometimes want to just turn off the news and concentrate on what is going on in my own life, I just can’t seem to do it! I keep trying to find the good news, happy stories, celebrations – and there really are some of those! I’m going to start with that feeling and go from there.
Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk there has been an awakening all across the country – and even in other countries! God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes He uses tragedies to open our eyes.
Instead of riots and destruction by Charlie’s followers, there were prayer gatherings and outpourings of love. Instead of protests and signs showing outrage, there were events that brought many people to reanalyze their outlooks and beliefs. On college campuses there was a flocking to establish chapters of Turning Point U.S.A. instead of shutting them down. And there have been large numbers of people coming to Christ!
Yes, Turning Point U.S.A. is somewhat political. But it was originally started to help young people understand the true basis of our country’s founding and purpose. Charlie Kirk wanted young people to see past the indoctrinations being taught in schools and to understand that open discussions (debates) can be used to open free thinking.
So much of our actual history has been eliminated from textbooks so our children are only being exposed to the events and topics chosen by the people who publish the books used in schools today. Because of that, there is a huge amount of misunderstanding and disagreements that need to be corrected.
Charlie Kirk was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and the fact that our country and Constitution were founded on Christian tenants. He used these beliefs to try to open the minds of young people who have been raised with an unknown number of television programs and movies promoting violence and alternate lifestyles, computers and internet providing content that may or may not be true, violent video games, and without strong families to support them. Open dialog can provide an opportunity for all of us to reconsider any of our own beliefs that might not be based on full truth.
Now, all the while this was going on, our country has been falling further and further into a state of violence that seems to have put criminals on pedestals. We have more and more attacks on our law enforcement members in all agencies, in addition to attacks on innocent people just trying to live life.
Instead of getting a decent education and a job, too many people are choosing to live off crime to survive. They deal drugs and are responsible for the deaths of millions. They use unlawful guns to threaten neighbors and strangers. They rely on government assistance instead of becoming responsible, employed citizens. And, if and when they are ever arrested for a crime, they are almost immediately released back into the public.
I’d like to know why jails and prisons exist. Law enforcement officers make arrests of people who have been suspected of and/or charged with committing a crime. Admittedly, these people are innocent until PROVEN guilty by a jury of their peers or by their own confession, but how does our justice system manage the between time? It takes years between an arrest and a trial – if there ever IS a trial.
It’s one thing if someone is arrested once, but when someone has been arrested multiple times over many years there is absolutely NO sense in releasing them back on the streets to continue to rob, rape, murder innocent citizens. Law-abiding people should not have to be afraid in their own neighborhoods, shopping centers, or just driving down the road. But our system seems to be more concerned about the comfort of criminals instead of the protection of the victims.
If nothing else, it should be three strikes and you are OUT – out of society until you have been punished for your crimes. That seems simple, but where are the district attorneys, the judges and justices? They seem to be more interested in striking deals for less punishments and jail time. So again, why do we have jails and prisons?
“Judicial” means “relating to courts, judges, or the administration of justice.” It is a very difficult structure to understand with all the different agencies, employees and appointees. But it is also one of the most important systems we have since it is responsible for interpreting the laws and protecting the innocent.
Convictions and punishments should not be based on relationships, economic status, gender, or race. “In my humble opinion” anyone arrested and charged with a crime deserves a fair, speedy trial with a jury to determine the innocence or guilt of the accusation and then receiving a penalty that considers past crimes and convictions.
I guess I ended up with the good, the bad and the ugly. The majority of our populations are law-abiding people who want to live in peace in a safe environment to raise their families. They should be the priority for protection – not the criminals.
I also pray that we continue to see an increase in people coming back to church, accepting calls to believe in Jesus, and participating in the turning point in a positive way.
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