Hidden amidst all of the Congressional hijinks over the Affordable Care Act, food stamps, and budget issues are a few legislative gems that have garnered little public attention, but could have positive impacts on the common good. One of these gems is a bill offered by Utah’s very own Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who appears to be part of a slow-growing prison reform movement. His H.R. 2656 Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2013 seeks to reduce recidivism rates through the use of effective, proven rehabilitation and incentive programs, among other ideas. Add to Rep. Chaffetz’ efforts recent appeals from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and others to reconsider minimum mandatory sentencing, and you have the beginnings of a plan for a prison system that doesn’t just punish offenders but rather helps them re-integrate into civil society upon release. Rep. Chaffetz, U.S. Attorney General Holder, and others recognize that locking a person up without regard for the motivations, circumstances, or actual severity of their crime, or without adequate programs to help them change behaviors is a recipe for disaster. From the Catholic perspective, the state of our prison system is also a moral tragedy. While we do not tolerate behavior that threatens lives and violates the rights of others, we also do not give up on those who violate these laws. We believe those who cause harm must be held accountable. But we also believe that both victims’ and offenders’ lives and dignity must be protected and respected. "We seek justice, not vengeance. We believe punishment must have clear purposes: protecting society and rehabilitating those who violate the law," states the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This twofold approach has been missing in many states and the federal system. For example, Utah maintains the death penalty, as a former Utah attorney general once explained, purely as an act of retribution; not as a deterrent, or a means to restore something to a victim, but as simple vengeance. That is not the Catholic way. We recognize that, in the words of the USCCB, "We are all sinners, and our response to sin and failure should not be abandonment and despair, but rather justice, contrition, reparation, and return or reintegration of all into the community." In light of Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and our core beliefs, the Catholic Church seeks prison reform that fully recognizes the humanity of both victims and offenders. Our penal system should provide victims with opportunities to be heard by those who caused them harm, while giving the offender the opportunity to fully understand and face the consequences of their actions. We also ask our government leaders to recognize that most prisoners will eventually return to society and should be prepared to reintegrate in positive, meaningful ways, not as more skilled re-offenders. Not every prisoner will rise to the occasion, but as a matter of human dignity, they should be given the opportunity to repent and transform their lives into something that better reflects that dignity. The Catholic vision is important not only in light of federal efforts to reform the prison system, but as part of Utah’s decisions regarding whether to move the state prison or restructure existing facilities. The state is currently seeking bids for this massive project. Some of the bidders may be private prison companies, which typically focus on filling and keeping beds filled, not rehabilitating prisoners for re-entry into our communities. Meanwhile, money spent on building a new mega-facility might be used more effectively on prevention and treatment programs. The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City is keeping an eye on the prison relocation process and urges all Utah Catholics to be advocates for sensible prison reforms that will keep us all safe and fully respect the sanctity and dignity of every human life.
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