1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

There is a person in the Corinthian church that is openly involved in immoral (if not illegal) behavior.  Paul directs the church to take action to expel the individual from the church.  Though there are multiple interpretations on the directive to “hand him over to Satan”, the goal of the action is to discipline and correct his behavior.  Evidently, the church took Paul’s advice and expelled him.  However, the punishment did not end—even after the man expressed his sorrow.  Paul’s second letter advises them to “forgive him, console him and reaffirm their love for him.” 

In a situation where there has been an infraction that has brought damage to the community, what do you think are some of “Satan’s designs” for the law breaker?  For the community?  How does forgiveness and restoration to the community thwart those designs? 

While this is a situation that happens inside the church, are there applications to those who have been convicted of crimes and have been incarcerated?  How can we express consolation and forgiveness to those who have “done their time”?

Jeremiah 33:10-11, Psalm 68:4-6

The people of Israel have been removed from their land and taken into exile because of their rejection of God and their rebellion against God’s Law.  But their punishment is limited.  God promises to “restore their fortunes” and return the people to their land and replace what had been lost.  The Psalmist also celebrates God’s restoration after release from captivity.

What do these passages teach about God’s forgiveness?  How might they challenge our current correctional system and how we treat ex-offenders?

When ex-convicts are released in California, they are given up to $200 (depending upon the length of their incarceration) in what is known as “gate money”.  However, they must pay for their own transportation from the prison out of that $200.  This is the extent to which we “restore their fortune”.   “Gate money” varies from state to state, but few states provide comprehensive re-entry services to ensure that ex-convicts can survive let alone thrive outside of the system.

Consider picking up the phone to contact Representative Danny Davis’ office at 773- 533-7520 to thank him for introducing the Second Chance Reauthorization Act and ask how you can support his efforts to get the bill passed.

We have reached the half-way mark in our Fast for Freedom.  What impact has this experience had on you thus far?

Deuteronomy 25:2-3

This scripture describes a judgment against a law-breaker and a sentence of flogging.  While flogging is severe (it is still practiced in many countries for even minor offenses), the Law limits it to no more than forty lashes.  Why the limit?  Because otherwise “your neighbor will be degraded in your sight.”  The “criminal” is still a neighbor and still deserves dignity.  His/Her humanity must be preserved.  There is protection for the “criminal” even in the midst of punishment.

This is criminal justice that is done in public.  It is out in the open where the lashes can be counted and those doing the flogging can be stopped after 40.  Thankfully, in our enlightened correctional system, we have done away with public hangings and floggings.  However, we have moved the punishment indoors to the prison and in the process removed correction from public scrutiny and accountability.  We have hidden the criminal and those who carry out the punishment.  And we no longer have to watch our neighbor be degraded before our eyes.

Did you know that twice as many rapes occur inside prisons than outside?  Did you know that guards frequently beat up prisoners and encourage prison fights for entertainment?  Did you know that prison wardens frequently place prisoners in solitary confinement for undisclosed reasons and keep them there indefinitely?  And there is little accountability.

What words do we use in our society to describe a a person who has been convicted of a crime and incarcerated?  Does the word “neighbor” come to mind?  Why or why not?  What in our correctional system do you think would change if we did see the criminal as our neighbor?  How might we restore accountability in a correctional system that is removed from our sight?

Have you fasted in support of our neighbors at the Menard Correctional Center and other prisons around the country who are on a hunger strike because they have been in solitary confinement for indefinite periods of time in terrible conditions?  Set a time now to do it.  Check out the resource page for an update on conditions at Menard.

Exodus 22:1-13, Luke 19:1-10

Restitution is required in each of the crime scenarios described in the Law (Exodus).  How is restitution different from retribution?  Besides restoring the animal or object, what else is restored in this process?

How does Zacchaeus’ action reflect “salvation”?  What do you think were the results of his action in relationship to his community?

There is a movement toward what is called “restorative justice”, a framework that includes restitution and community involvement in dealing with offenses.  The goal is to make restitution for the crime while also repairing the relationships that have been damaged.  In Chicago, Logan Square Neighborhood Association has been working with Kelyvn Park High School and other CPS schools to use a restorative justice model to reduce suspensions and expulsions.   Visit LSNA to learn more this important work.

For a comprehensive understanding of restorative justice, please visit http://www.restorativejustice.org, a project of Prison International Fellowship.

Psalm 130

The Psalmist expresses relief in the forgiveness of God.  His survival is dependent upon God not keeping a record of his wrongs (vs. 3).  He finds great hope in the knowledge of God’s unfailing love and overflowing redemption (vs. 7-8).   How is a person’s survival threatened when a record of one’s wrongs is maintained?  What does “redemption” look like for a person with a record?  What does love have to do with it? 

On Sunday, March 23, we learned about the FORCE project from Marlon Chamberlain.  In 2013, Illinois Governor Quinn signed a bill into law that would allow ex-offenders to seal their non-violent records.  How does a sealing bill mirror the act of God Psalm 103? 

When we refuse to see the lawbreaker as a member of the community, it is easy to marginalize them and treat them at “the outsider” or “the other”.    While the law breaker has done damage to the community, (s)he is still part of the community.  The states of Minnesota and Vermont are taking bold steps to make restoration to community a part of its crime prevention strategy.  Based on a model developed by a Mennonite pastor in Canada, “Circles of Support and Accountability” (CoSAs) connect moderately high-risk ex-offenders to non-professional community groups to help them reintegrate into the community.   In a 2013 study, it was found that only 5% of those ex-offenders who were in a CoSA group were charged with a crime between 2010 and 2013 compared with 45% of those who were not in a CoSA.   Much of the funding for these programs comes from the Second Chance Act, a bill that was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2008.  The bill provided funding to every state for programs that aided re-entry.  Rep. Danny Davis (D- IL) and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced HB 3465, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act in November 2013 and it was referred to committee.  On January 9, 2014, it was referred to a subcommittee.  Without passage of the reauthorization bill, the Act is discontinued.  You can follow this bill HERE.   To read more about the Second Chance Act, link HERE.   

Psalm 102, Psalm 10

Psalm 102 is a lament—an expression of deep anguish in the face of deep suffering.  As you read it, imagine a wrongly convicted inmate in his cell.   Then, use Psalm 10 as a prayer for those who are incarcerated wrongfully and for those who continue to be punished long after their release from prison. 

Two years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that giving juveniles mandatory life sentences violated the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.  The ruling was based in part on brain research that shows that teenage brains are less developed than adult brains.  (A Mandatory Life Sentence means that the judge in the case was required by law to give the sentence.)  Several states, including Pennsylvania, have refused to reconsider the mandatory life sentences handed out prior to the Supreme Court ruling.  However, on Thursday, March 20, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that new sentencing hearings be held for 100 prisoners who were given mandatory life sentences when they were teenagers.  To learn more about this ruling and the controversy it has created, link HERE.  What do you think?

There is no devotional for Sunday, March 16

Proverbs 17:15 (NIV), Hebrews 13:1-3 (NSRV)

Nationally, 306 wrongfully convicted inmates have been exonerated and released from prison across the country thanks DNA evidence.  In 1986, Bennie Starks was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.  DNA evidence proving his innocence was submitted to the courts in 2000.  Unbelievably, he was not exonerated and released until 2013, having served 27 years for the crime.

The writer of Hebrews entreats us to remember those in prison as if we were in prison with them.  Try to put yourself in Bennie Starks’ shoes (as if you were in prison with him).  What would you want people outside the prison to do?  What does “remembering those in prison” look like?  Hundreds of inmates have been on a hunger strike due to conditions throughout the nation.  Consider fasting all or part of today to “remember” and show solidarity with those who are in prison. 

The Innocence Project and the Northwestern University Law School’s Center on Wrongful Convictions are two organizations working to exonerate those who are wrongfully convicted. Their web sites include the stories of many men and women who were unjustly condemned and imprisoned.  Today, pray for those who are still awaiting exoneration while in prison and for those who are working to ensure that the innocent are released.

Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Anyone can accuse another person of a crime, but God’s law ensured that there were protections for the accused.  One person’s word was not enough.  God required full investigations in case of a dispute.  God was so concerned about false testimony that a law against it made the Top 10.  And false witnesses were dealt with severely.  In fact, in this instance, the ‘eye for an eye” mandate was to meant to discourage people from making false charges.

What protections are in place for people accused of a crime today?  We say that people are innocent until proven guilty, yet prosecutors often want to avoid trials and intimidate people to take a plea bargain.  And because poor people often end up with Public Defenders that do not have the time to adequately inform them of their rights, they often take the plea deal, losing all rights to appeal.

We all know of stories where a “victim” has accused someone of a crime only to find out later that it was not true.  Yet, even the accusation is  powerful enough to destroy people’s reputations.

How could God’s law help to rectify these scenarios?  What recourse is available for people who are falsely accused?

Exodus 23:6-9, Isaiah 5:22-24

There are dangers inherent in every system of justice.  People can make false charges.  People can try to subvert the outcome through bribery.  The innocent can be condemned and killed.

The Law and the Prophets condemn these practices as “despising the word of the Lord” and warn of God’s judgment against those who pervert justice. 

In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a judge received bribes from Correction Corporation of America, a private prison company.  In exchange, he sentenced juveniles to their prison for the most minor infractions, ensuring their profits.  In Chicago in the 1970s and 1980s African Americans were routinely rounded up, tortured and coerced into confessions that were later used against them in trial.  Scores of innocent people ended up wrongly convicted—11 of them were sentenced to death row.  

What other instances can you think of where justice has been perverted? 

Link HERE to a story about a man who was coerced into a confession and was sentenced to 100 years in prison for a sexual assault he did not commit.