BY : Heather Rice-Minus, Op-ed contributor
When harm is done, justice requires accountability — which in some cases includes incarceration.
Most people in prison will one day return home to become our neighbors. Christians have a responsibility to support policies that aid their journey to become good citizens and positive members of society.
To create safer communities, we need a biblical vision of justice that honors victims, promotes accountability and restoration, and makes our neighborhoods safer places to live.
The biblical account of humanity’s first sin, the Fall, also reveals God’s first promise of a Savior. In the fulfillment of this promise, the Gospel itself reminds us of the need for both justice and restoration. Sin requires sacrifice, which is fulfilled through Christ’s death and resurrection. By accepting this atoning sacrifice, we step into new life. He begins to lead us on a path toward sanctification and restoration. In other words, all Christians are the beneficiaries of a second chance.
That’s why believers should aim for a criminal justice system that upholds accountability for those who commit crimes — and also, for those coming home, a path to restoration.
Nobody should be defined by their worst decision forever. But too often, people live in the shadow of their criminal record long after they have paid their debt to society. Across the country, there are nearly 44,000 barriers that people with a criminal history face, limiting access to jobs, housing, education and other essentials for a full and productive life. Many barriers have no bearing on public safety and only increase the likelihood that returning citizens will struggle to support their families and build a future.
Scripture reminds us that in Christ, we become new creations. Do we allow people the opportunity to be new creations, or do we assume they will never change?
The Prison Fellowship Academy has proven that people can and do change when given the right kind of support. A recent study showed the Academy in Texas resulted in a 5.6% recidivism rate, which represents a 53.8% reduction in participant recidivism when compared to people with similar backgrounds and criminal histories.
After more than 13 years working in prison ministry, I have met so many people who left prison with the desire to live a new way. I think of my friend Jermaine, who spent seven years behind bars and experienced radical transformation in the Prison Fellowship Academy. After his release, he went on to serve as a two-time mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. Jermaine’s story is a testimony of God’s grace and second chances — and the gracious support of believers who came alongside him every step of the way.
Throughout the Bible, God’s care for the vulnerable is evident. But our world is broken, and sometimes our justice system fails to reflect His heart for restoration. Fines and fees can unfairly target the poor, communities of color face harsher sentencing and people leaving prison confront excessive barriers to reentry.
As Christians, we should be the voice that calls for criminal justice reform to right these wrongs. We should let our leaders know that fairness, accountability and human dignity matter to us.
Ninety-five percent of people in prison will be released one day. Whether they succeed at reintegrating depends on many factors. Did they get the chance to learn and grow while serving time? Did they have meaningful opportunities to pursue a career, secure housing and continue their education? Our shared goal of safer communities is accomplished through justice that restores, not justice that merely punishes.
In Luke 19:1–10, Zacchaeus took responsibility for his actions and committed to pay back those he had cheated. Jesus responded by offering him restoration, saying, “Salvation has come to this home today.”
For those who have faced the consequences of their crimes, we should follow Jesus’ example by advocating for justice that restores.
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