Crime and Punishment

I'd just like to add one thing to your really well written post Rahvin. I have heard of cases, I believe this not to be uncommon, of people who reoffend simply because incarceration is the only way they can get by in life. After spending time in prison they have completely lost their ability to cope in the outside world.You talk about family visits being important. I couldn't agree more, but unfortunately lack of family contact is one of the reasons that many wound up there in the first place. I just can't imagine spending 5 years in a prison environment and then all of a sudden have to go back into a world with no loved ones to help me establish a new life. I might very well feel more at home and safer in prison.One of the things as Christians that we are called to in Matthew 25 is to visit those in prisons. It appears to me that there is good reason for that. It is important to have on-going contact with the life that exists outside of prison. As a Christian I'm a miserable failure in this regard.

I was primarily thinking of those without family or friends that are willing to take the time to help. I don't see it as visiting to say hi once in a while but forming a supporting relationship that extends past the time they are released.I agree that the idea of just showing up once in awhile to fill some perceived requirement would do more harm than good.

I agree jar, they can do more harm than good. It can't be a self-serving thing which helps the visitor to feel good about themsleves.

It goes without saying that you can do it as a human being. As human beings we are called to help those that need it. It is just that visiting prisoners is specifically mentioned in the Gospels.