Retribution, restoration,
rehabilitation, punishment. How are we to deal with crime and criminals in a
time when our prisons are full to capacity? One American town has come up with
a very innovative idea – instead of sending the criminal to jail, send him to
church. Have a look at this short clip (found at Jesus Needs New PR) which
gives some of the detail.Interesting, isn’t it? But
is it a good idea? As you heard, the intention is to offer those who would be
sentenced to short term imprisonment (i.e. not the most dangerous) an
alternative which involves going to a Sunday church service for 12 months. Like
the US, we know full well in the UK that jailing someone for a few weeks just doesn’t
work for the vast majority. There isn’t enough time to try and rehabilitate. So
alternatives are needed – something that the Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, is
already looking into.
But should he consider this
idea? What do you think?
