From time to time when traveling through an area that I have not previously visited, I have observed a walled structure and noticed the telltale characteristics of a prison; walls topped with razor wire, stark angular buildings, a few narrow windows, a guard tower. Whenever I see a prison I find myself sinking into somber thoughts. People are locked behind these walls not unlike like animals confined and fed but not allowed freedom to live and move as they please. As I go about my life pursuing my desires and enjoying my life, the thought of individuals confined away out of sight, day after day, year after year, is disturbing.
At such times the thought arises in me, “Why am I not in prison?” Many would respond that if you don’t violate society’s laws, then you have no worries about landing in prison. I suppose this is, in a strict sense, true. But it is also a fact that if you are unfortunate enough to be born poor, your chances of ending up in prison are greatly increased. Those who are members of particular racial/ethnic groups will more likely find themselves in prison. If you suffer from mental illness, the chances of being incarcerated are much higher.
Why am I not in prison? True, I have not committed certain crimes that could land someone in prison. But, why have I not committed such crimes? Frankly I was born into and have lived in life circumstances such that opportunities to commit most crimes have never presented themselves to me. I have never had to engage in physical violence to save my life or family members’ lives. I wouldn’t know how to go about buying illegal drugs even if I wanted to. I have never found myself among friends who decided to rob someone. Nor, have I ever found myself lacking basic life provisions such that stealing was a realistic option.
It has been said that in the U.S. we use prisons to house our poor and mentally ill. An examination of the demographics of the prison population would substantiate this. Those who can afford competent legal representation (often middle/upper class and White) can usually secure a lighter sentence and thus little or no jail time. Their poor, often non-white counterparts who are guilty of the same crimes more often find themselves behind bars.
Societies tend to want to deal with ‘criminals’ by throwing them in jail and forgetting about them. But, each person behind those walls is someone’s father or mother, son or daughter, sister or brother. It could have been me. Of course, society needs to be protected from some individuals, but how many of these incarcerated people fit into this category? Throughout history, prisons have been populated by individuals who are there largely because of the station of life into which they were born. This is no less true today.
In a famous biblical passage about end of life judgement, Jesus, referring to society’s most marginalized people said, “I was in prison and you did not visit me.” If there is a way to slow the flow of individuals into prison, that would be the noblest of goals. If there is a way to give such individuals a second chance, that may be the mark of a truly great country.
~Brian McDonald
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