Rising Prison Population
The increase in Arkansas prison population, should it continue at its present pace, is calculated to require extensive new construction, and thereby threaten other critical services. In greater detail, the number of those imprisoned was reported at 15,361. Growing at a rate of 33 inmates each month, prison officials expect the number to increase 2,200 by 2015 and 4,220 by 2020. While some states have had a reduction, the problem appears to be pervasive.
The alternatives are not inviting. The cost of maintaining extensive prison facilities is mind-boggling. However, releasing persons who readily become second offenders does little to remedy the situation. In this regard, it was reported a few years ago that 74 percent of those released from prison were arrested within a four year interim, although studies of this sort vary in part due to the use of different criteria.
Curious incidents occur in the above connection. For instance, a person was recently arrested for breaking back into prison, having previously escaped. He was rewarded with an extended prison sentence. Another individual has positive recollections of her incarceration. Upon release, she became involved in prison ministry. A picture of her was shown sitting beside her former bunk.
In contrast to our efforts at containment, the biblical tradition laid emphasis on compensation. In this regard, "If a man steels an ox or sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep" (Ex. 22:1). The indemnity differs according to the seriousness of the crime.
"A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft." He served as an indentured laborer, bound for six years. When his seventh year came, he was to be set free. Unless the year of Jubilee intervened, which could result in an earlier release.
Finding a modern application for compensation would be a challenge worth considering. As it is, society suffers not only as the result of the anti-social behavior, but in providing extensive prison accommodations. Then, too, the prisoner is not required to make amends by commensurate service.
Meanwhile, Arkansas legislators are attempting to come up with a viable alternative to the present situation. This is thought to include increasing the number of drug courts, providing funding for halfway houses, and revisiting court sentences with the hope of reducing some of them. Legislation has already been passed to allow offenders to become eligible for parole after serving at least 50 percent of their sentences, instead of the original 70 percent. As for building additional prison facilities, it is said to be a hard sell. All things considered, we hope this will not be a case of too little and too late.
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Article submitted Thursday, May 27, 2010 & read 202 times.
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