prison reform
How law-and-order evangelicals helped shape today’s criminal justice system
By Yonat Shimron — November 16, 2020
(RNS) — Evangelicals have largely championed the rise of mass incarceration, writes Aaron Griffith in his new book. They've also undertaken novel ministries to try to bring compassion, healing and conversion to those behind bars.
Anxiety, loneliness and spiritual isolation characterize life in prison during pandemic
By Lyra Walsh Fuchs — November 10, 2020
NEW YORK (RNS) — Religious practices of all sorts are fixtures of community for those inside — and all have been stymied by the pandemic lockdowns.
‘Deadly as Dachau’: Activists call for mass decarceration during pandemic
By Aysha Khan — March 25, 2020
BOSTON (RNS) — Progressive faith-based activists and religious leaders have mounted a nationwide push to release as many people held in jails, prisons and immigration detention facilities as possible to protect them from a coronavirus outbreak.
How evangelicals teamed up with the White House on prison reform
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 25, 2018
(RNS) — As the First Step Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives, the country’s largest Christian prison ministry says there’s 'never been greater interest in America in criminal justice reform.'
As cities re-examine bail, Muslims launch a Ramadan fund to pay it
By Aysha Khan — May 16, 2018
(RNS) — Believers Bail Out aims to raise awareness about the injustices of the prison system by asking Muslims to give zakat to their incarcerated brothers and sisters in faith.
Trump marks National Day of Prayer with new faith initiative
By Adelle M. Banks — May 3, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'We take this step because we know that in solving the many, many problems and our great challenges, faith is more powerful than government and nothing is more powerful than God,' he said in a Rose Garden ceremony.
People of faith should support prison reform legislation
By Abraham Cooper — April 26, 2018
(RNS) — Writing together, as an Orthodox rabbi and a Christian minister, we feel deeply for victims of crime, and we take comfort in our American system that demands justice for those who violate the rule of law. But we also affirm these efforts to reform a prison system that invests too little money and too little energy in rehabilitation programs for inmates and for those re-entering society.
‘Rethinking Incarceration’ author on justice, race and the fact Jesus was incarcerated
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 14, 2018
(RNS) — 'The church has really failed to be present with Jesus behind bars, and because we’ve failed to go be present with Jesus behind bars, our faith has been impoverished,' said Dominique DuBois Gilliard.
Prison Fellowship spearheads ‘Second Chance Month’ to help ex-convicts
By Adelle M. Banks — March 31, 2017
Washington (RNS) About 65 million Americans – or 1 in 4 adults – have a criminal record that can lead to reduced access to jobs and education and a restriction from voting.
Italian prisoners honor Pope Francis with flash mob dance
By Josephine McKenna — December 1, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The 'Pope is Pop' Zumba routine by dozens of prisoners highlighted the pontiff's calls for prison reform and greater acceptance of the world’s migrants.
Pope administers ‘kindness therapy’ at Mexican children’s hospital
By Tim MacGabhann — February 15, 2016
MEXICO CITY (RNS) He gave a polio vaccine to a small boy and was serenaded with a version of “Ave Maria” sung by a 15-year-old cancer patient.
Pope criticizes Mexico’s rich and corrupt elite
By Reuters — February 14, 2016
MEXICO CITY - Celebrating Mass in front of hundreds of thousands in one of Mexico's poorest and most dangerous cities, Francis decries "a society of the few and for the few."
Pope decries corruption and drugs in Mexico
By Reuters — February 13, 2016
MEXICO CITY - Francis exhorts Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he says "devours like a metastasis.""
In Mexico, Pope Francis will deliver messages for both sides of the border
By Rosie Scammell — February 12, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Donald Trump already ripped Francis as a "very political person" for visiting the border area during the week-long trip that starts Friday.
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