Jesus’ Special Interest: Prison Rape and the Law

BreakPpoint ^ | 4 Sept 03 | Chuck Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

Today, the president will sign what might be called “special interest” legislation. What makes this signing ceremony different is that the special interest group that will benefit from the new law has no political clout—none of them vote, nor are they wealthy. In fact, as a group, they’re probably the poorest of the poor in America. No, what makes them special is that they are the object of Jesus’ concern. And, in signing this bill, the president is doing a great public service, and he’s doing the Lord’s will.

The group I’m describing is prisoners, and the legislation is the Prison Rape Elimination Act. The act sets “standards for investigating and eliminating rape, and hold[ing] the states accountable if they fail to do so.” As someone who has been a prisoner and in prison ministry for three decades, I can tell you that this situation—prison rape—has been a national scandal, a blot on our claim to be a civilized people. Politicians have known about it for too long and looked the other way.

According to a study done by Human Rights Watch, of the two million prisoners in the United States, between 250,000 and 600,000 are raped each year.

If you’re tempted to think they had it coming, consider the story of Rodney Hulin. When Hulin was 16 years old, he and his brother set a dumpster on fire. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to eight years, where he was repeatedly beaten and raped. Despite numerous pleas for help, no one in authority intervened. In fact, he was told to fend for himself. Depressed and unwilling to face the remainder of his sentence at the mercy of sexual predators, Hulin committed suicide.

The indifference shown toward Hulin is not unusual, and it’s what prompted the bill that the president signs today. And that’s why our own Justice Fellowship worked so hard to get the bill passed and why so many of you called when I asked you to over the last year.

The law will require corrections officials to “ensure that there is a confidential way for inmates to report incidences of rape.” And it provides incentives to state and local governments to enhance education and reward the prevention and punishment of rape.

Accountability and incentives are important, of course. Even more important, however, are leaders who remember that, whatever a prisoner may have done, he is still created in the image of God, a being whose dignity is to be protected.

President Bush, like the House and Senate sponsors, is such a leader. He has done more for prisoners than any president in my lifetime, beginning with his enthusiastic support of the Christian prison we run in Texas, which he enabled us to start when he was governor.

Why does Bush care so much about prisoners? Most politicians look the other way. Well, the president is a Christian. He reads his Bible. He knows that men behind bars are the ones Jesus called “the least of these my brothers.” And this president doesn’t stop with reading the Bible—he acts.

That’s why the signing of this bill should be a cause for celebration among Christians. It’s a reminder of how being a doer, and not just a hearer, of the Word can make a difference. Not just in the life of the individual believer, but in the lives of those whom Jesus called “His brothers.”

[Mr. Silverback]

I don't know what Bible translation he got the additional "my brothers" out of, but I guess it's the same thing when you boil it down.

Don't forget, the AG of California thinks it's funny to suggest prison rape as a fitting sentence for Ken Lay. Nice guy.

[Mr. Silverback]

BreakPoint/Chuck Colson Ping! If anyone wants on or off my BreakPoint Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Ping

[madison10]

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for on of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 (NIV) (story of caring for prisoners)

[I still care]

Excellent that Bush is doing something about this national scandal.

Anyone of us could end up with a child falsely accused and in jail. The idea that they could come out of jail raped and with something like AIDS is horrific. I once read a statistic that almost 80% of the men in jail end up raped, I hope that figure is high.

[wideawake]

The RSV renders it "the least of these my brethren" and the NIV "these brothers of mine."

[Clint Williams]

I once read a statistic that almost 80% of the men in jail end up raped, I hope that figure is high.

I don't know the figure but I know a fellow who did time, and heard a lot about life inside. That figure is much too high, and it's usually the young kids they go for. (He says, by the way, that the movie that gives the best feeling for life in prison is The Shawshank Redemption. Ugh.)

[L,TOWM]

Ping

[FormerLib]

I hope we hear more details about this soon.

[gogeo]

Don't forget, the AG of California thinks it's funny to suggest prison rape as a fitting sentence for Ken Lay. Nice guy.

I remember...wasn't he trying to match him up with someone named "Bubba?";-)

This issue hasn't been at the top of my "to do" list, but if Chuck Colson says it's a good idea, I'm with it.

[holyscroller]

"Why does Bush care so much about prisoners? Most politicians look the other way. Well, the president is a Christian. He reads his Bible. He knows that men behind bars are the ones Jesus called “the least of these my brothers.” And this president doesn’t stop with reading the Bible—he acts.

That's the first time I've ever heard "the least of these" applied to describe rapists, murderers, robbers, etc. According to my bible, "the least of these" applies to those inacapable of caring for themselves, the retarded, the crippled, helpless children, etc., not to hardened thugs who got there by criminally overpowering and taking advantage of others (including many who truly are "the least of these.")

This interpretation is a stretch, and really inaccurate for my money.

[L,TOWM]

You may want to look up in your concordance--

"When I was hungry, you fed me
When I was thirsty, you gave me water
When I was naked, you clothed me
When I was sick, you cared for me
When I WAS IN PRISON, YOU VISITED ME..."

You may want to remember that the first person that Christ promised paradise to was a common thief.

You may also want to reread the article--those people on the receiving end of the crime of rape, and the abomination of sodomy are not the hardened thugs. The haredened thugs are the ones inflicting this sickening behavior on mostly young people. Young people, btw, that still have a chance to turn their lives around, much like the young man, now a stranger, but that was in prison 20 years ago...

[holyscroller]

When I was hungry, you fed me When I was thirsty, you gave me water When I was naked, you clothed me When I was sick, you cared for me When I WAS IN PRISON, YOU VISITED ME..." I agree with these admonitions, however the ones you listed here are not the same persons listed or referred to as "the least of these."

Also, Just because some young people are in prison doesn't mean they aren't vicious heartless murders, etc. How about that kid in Oregon that murdered his parents (both teachers), then went to school and terrorized the school before killing several kids. Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for him. If he got Bubba for a cell-mate, maybe the good life he had with Mom and Dad might finally sink in.

[beelzepug]

I believe you are missing the point. Most of the people in American prisons are not robbers, murderers, etc. The prisons are increasingly being filled with young men such as the aforementioned dumpster burner, smalltime druggies, and others who ought to be outside working off their sentences and actually paying back society rather than languishing in a cell. Think about how quickly you or a family member could go from being a law-abiding citizen with no record to an inmate with a vehicular homicide conviction. That shouldn't be an open invitation to some piece of living garbage to make you his personal sex toy. The 'Rats laugh at the term "compassionite conservative". Please don't prove them right.

[ChewedGum]

And even if the prisoner is of the worst ilk, Jesus demonstrated through his life that the least of them were those who were most undesirable and unfit. I respect Coulson intellect and especially since he puts his faith into action in the prisons.

Gum

[vpintheak]

It is hard to have compassion, Lord knows I don't have much of it. But we have to remember we are all worthless wretches in the eyes of the Lord. Only Salvation through the blood of the Lamb can make us clean. Trust me, I don't feel sorry for anyone who I feel had it coming to them, but I'm working on it with help from above.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I once read a statistic that almost 80% of the men in jail end up raped, I hope that figure is high."

I've known a few people to do time, and from what I've heard of Georgia prisons, there are many that don't mind trading sex for cigs or other forms of prison money, due to gays being more open these days.

I believe prison rape exists, but not as bad as it use to be.

[joesnuffy]

Prison Fellowship is the only program that has shown to be effective lowering the recidivism rate..

Considering what a phenominal number of Americans will spend time in prison and then return to American streets...I would prefer for the safety and security of all of us that as many of them as possible come back as Christians vs psychotic thugs that torture such as a few years of prison rape can and does induce..

GW is making not only a Christian move here ..it is also the smart move...

If it werent for the grace of God...even Arnold could have spent time in the joint..

[L,TOWM]

If he got Bubba for a cell-mate, maybe the good life he had with Mom and Dad might finally sink in.

So, a prison system that includes criminal acts being perpetrated upon people that are wards of the government is justice in your book? Being on the receiving end of a buttf**k and a beating sort of enhances the "punishment" for the crime in your world?

I'll pray for you.

[kuma]

It's a christian duty to visit those who are in prison or sick.

"...I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:36 ~from Jesus' lips to your ears (well actually eyes :OP)

We all need to try to remember that ALL of mankind is made in His image. Besides you could never convince me that Jesus advocates rape, especially homosexual rape.