COVID-19 stresses prison system; faith leaders promote restoration and redemption

The recent COVID-19 concerns only add to Alabama’s underfunded and overcrowded state prisons. State leaders all agree the system in crisis, but the global pandemic shifted plans of legislative action earlier in the year.

Going into the 2020 legislative year, more than 40 Alabama pastors and faith leaders — along with the national Prison Fellowship Ministries — signed a letter to the Alabama Legislature calling for “a criminal justice system that is fair and redemptive for our young people and restores adults who are reentering society.”

Like all Christians living in a state of grace, incarcerated youth and adults should also receive a second chance in life, the faith leaders asserted.

Chris Crain, executive director of Birmingham Metro Baptist Association, said he signed the letter because even convicted criminals should be thought of as God’s children.

“I believe that our legislators should understand that all people are created in the image of God,” Crain said. “Our Birmingham Metro Baptist pastors are helping former inmates find healing and help in life outside of the prison gates on a daily basis. Convicted felons have a scarlet letter on them that they have to wear. The mountain created by their sinful choices is difficult to climb. Convicted felons must be helped to discover the dignity that comes through a personal relationship with God through Christ.

“This is not to ignore their crime and what the person owes for their wrongdoing,” Crain said. “Our goal cannot be to simply keep people behind bars only to be released and offend again. We must help them move beyond their worst choices by creating a culture that fosters people living up to their God-given potential. Providing substance abuse treatment, job training, and life skills classes in a faith-based environment will provide many of the necessary ingredients to change lives. Faith-based ministries are proven in reducing recidivism.

“The problem of overcrowding in Alabama is well known,” Crain said. “The problems are overwhelming, but I believe with government, citizens, and the faith community working together, we can find solutions. We all know that the status quo is not an option. Both justice and life transformation are biblical concepts. I believe the gospel is a non-negotiable element for transforming broken lives in our prisons and criminal justice system. Likewise, only the gospel can bring justice and peace to victims.

“We should remember what Jesus will say to the faithful at the judgment, ‘I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ He will go on to say, ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ We must do whatever it takes to the ministry of the gospel to those behind bars,” Crain said. “Some of these men and women behind bars are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot forget that.”

The letter outlined a list of guiding biblical principles to be considered as work is done to change the youth justice system and criminal justice system.

The full text of the letter to state legislators reads:

“As pastors and leaders of faith-based organizations that minister and provide services in Alabama, we join together to write you in support of youth and adult criminal justice reform and restoration of citizens who were formerly incarcerated. Because the good news of Jesus Christ calls the Church to advocate for biblical truth and care for the vulnerable, we, His followers, call for a criminal justice system that is fair and redemptive for our young people and restores adults who are reentering society. We believe we all have received and deserve a second chance in life.

“When young people commit delinquent acts, it damages our communities and requires proportional accountability measures. However, it is equally important that when we punish, we also provide opportunities to make amends, and offer young people who commit crime avenues to build personal character and gain back the trust of the community. The recommendations of the Alabama Juvenile Justice Task force are a substantial step in this direction.

“Likewise, for those who are returning to the community we also need to provide opportunities to make amends and offer adults who have committed crime a path to redemption. This includes offering a second chance to earn back the trust of the community and to restore themselves to their neighbors as productive and peaceful members of society.

“The United States Department of Justice recently issued a report detailing the troubling state of affairs in Alabama’s adult prison system and concluded “there is reasonable cause to believe that the men’s prisons fail to protect prisoners from prisoner-on-prisoner violence and prisoner-on-prisoner sexual abuse, and fail to provide prisoners with safe conditions.” The disturbing findings in this report must be remedied and juvenile justice reform is necessary to avoid placing young Alabamians in the failing adult prison system.

“As our churches and organizations work to reach Alabama communities with a message of hope and redemption, we ask you to consider the following guiding biblical principles as you work to change the youth justice system and criminal justice system:

Each human being, including those who commit crime and the victims of crime, is a person made in God’s own image, with a life worthy of respect, protection and care;
Accountability for youth crime should be community-based and local where possible, recognizing that cultivation of the seedbeds of virtue like families and churches pays dividends in reducing crime;
Punishment should be proportional to the act committed, advancing public safety, fostering accountability, and giving opportunities to make amends;
Appropriate avenues should be provided for personal transformation and a second chance;
Rehabilitation of those formerly incarcerated should include, where not prohibited by public safety concerns, restoration of the rights and privileges previously lost in order to foster their ability to become productive citizens and taxpayers in society

“As we work to preach the good news of the gospel, that redemption through Christ is available to everyone and that His sacrifice covers our sin, we ask that you take hold of these important values and usher in a new season of youth and criminal justice in Alabama.”

The letter was also signed by:

Rt. Rev. Derek Jones, Bishop, Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy
Anglican Church in North America in Montevallo.
Dr. Douglas A. Sweeney, Dean, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University
Dr. Timothy George, Founding Dean, Research Professor of Divinity Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Pastor Randy Walker, Correctional Ministry Pastor, Church of the Highlands in Birmingham.
Pastor Ken Letson, Senior Pastor, The Church at Shelby Crossings in Calera, Alabama.
Pastor Dr. Matt Mobley, Senior Pastor, Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church in Wetumpka.
Rev. Dr. Gerald R. McDermott, Anglican Chair of Divinity Beeson Divinity School at Samford University.
Rev. Michael Novotny, Rector, Christ the King Anglican Church in Birmingham.
The Very Rev. Andrew M. Rowell, Rector, Christchurch Anglican, Dean of the Western Deanery, Gulf Atlantic Diocese, ACNA in Montgomery.
The Ven. Woody Norman, Archdeacon, Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, Anglican Church in North America, in Hoover.
Rev. Walter Albritton, Pastor Emeritus, Saint James United Methodist Church in Montgomery.
Wetumpka, Alabama, Rev. Douglas McCurry, Rector, Legacy Anglican Church in Montgomery.
Rev. Doug McMillan, Former Vicar, St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Andalusia.
Rev. Cn. Mark Quay, Rector, St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Tuscaloosa.
Dcn. Andrew Brashier, Vicar, Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, Chancellor, Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy in Pelham.
Rev. Clay Farrington, Executive Pastor, Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover.
Rev. Kyle Clark, Vicar, St. Bede’s Anglican Church in Birmingham.
Rev. Dr. Cory Smith, Senior Pastor, Auburn United Methodist Church in Auburn.
Rev. Dr. Gary W. Yarbrough, Chaplain/Director of Pastoral Care, Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster.
Rev. Cameron Nations, Associate Rector, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham.
Rev. Keith Stanley, City Ministries Pastor, The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham.
Rev. Geoff Hatley, Rector, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Madison.
Rev. Ben Jeffries, Vicar, Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Opelika.
Rev. David Tubbs, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Madison.
Rev. Brian K. Blackwell, Pastor, Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham.
The Rev. Mark E. Waldo, Jr., St. Michael & All Angels’ Episcopal Church in Millbrook.
The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers, Interim Staff Officer for Church Planting, The Episcopal Church, Canonical Residency: Alabama
Rev. Yvonne B. Howze, Pastor – United African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fairfield.
The Rev. Gary Blaylock, Rector, St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church in Fairhope.
Rev. Dr. Matt Burford, Founder, Tactical Faith, Inc. in Pelham.
Rev. Lydia Temonia, Pastor, Tabernacle, United Methodist Church in Dothan.
Dr. Brian V. Miller, Senior Minister, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery.
Dr. Rob Couch, Lead Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile.
Rev. Dr. Patrick M. Quinn, Century UMC, Lead Pastor in Pike Road.
Rev. Kathy Jorgensen, Associate Pastor, Dauphin Way UMC in Mobile.
Pastor Randy Smith, Ranja Ministries in Birmingham.
Pastor Janice Smith, Ranja Ministries in Birmingham.
Dr. Christopher W. Crain, Executive Director, Birmingham Metro Baptist Association in Birmingham.
Andy Blake, Executive Director, WorkFaith Birmingham in Birmingham.
Rev. John Ryberg, Pastor, The Table UMC in Huntsville.