Do christians care about the human rights of prisoners?

Question

Or do they assume that anything that happens in jail is only what they deserve, whether it is right or wrong?

Answer 1

Dostoyevsky: The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.

Many years ago I saw a TV programme about prisons in Oz.
I can still see the last shot of a prisoner being interviewed; he was sitting in an open window and he said: They treat us like animals in here and then they let us out.
He said it with amazement in his voice - as if to ask: how do you think we're gonna act? We'll act how they’ve acted towards us. We'll get even.
Then the circle starts again.

I'm sure many xians are convinced that everybody in gaol is guilty - but who cares really - they're only minorities.

Answer 2

When they are convicted, they lose *most* of their rights, as they should. But they should still be treated as human beings. I definitely thing all the sexual assaults and violence that happens in prisons is wrong. They should at least be safe and have the security of not having to worry about things like that. But I also am not happy with the fact that they can have cable tv and nice cushy exercise rooms, and many other comforts at tax-payers' expense.

EDIT: Roman, can you provide any basis to your claim that Christians care more about prisoners than victims? Because that ticks me off. How dare you judge a whole group of people in such a slanted, twisted way. I'm sure there are prison ministries that Christians work on, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that; at the worst, perhaps it will help rehabilitate some of them. But I feel very strongly against people who assault, rob, deal drugs, kidnap, rape, kill, or anything else. I think it's outrageous that the laws are never tough enough on them, and their rights are more important than those of the victims or the victim's families. So don't go slandering all Christians with your biased opinions.

Answer 3

I care, to an extent. I don't think that prisoners should be beaten by prison guards, and I don't think it's right that sodomy and rape are so rampant in prisons. I also do not advocate torturing prisoners.
But I ALSO believe that in many prisons, prisoners receive more than they deserve. I say give them the same kind of food that the military gets (MRE's or DFAC food), or the same kind of food that's on airplanes (shudder), or even the same food that's in hospitals. And cable TV? I think not. Give them one channel. I'd say either the History Channel, Discovery, the Weather Channel, or Disney. No others.

Answer 4

Have you ever tasted human feces? Had urine thrown in your eyes? Been assaulted with hot coffee? Had a total stranger whip out their penis and commence masturbation until ejaculation while degrading you verbally, telling you how you like it? Had a tray thrown at you? Dodge a spear lately? Listen to any violent three year olds trapped in 18+ year old bodies whose sole goal is to hurt cry for a peanut butter sandwich? If not, you don't understand. They are the scum of the earth and should all receive a bullet in the face. But, because of you Christians, we can't do that. Instead we give in to their demands and give them their peanut butter sandwich's. Work at a prison for a week and you'll know what I say is true. I've seen demons for over two years now and you want them in your prayers and want them in your heaven. Why, so they rape the angels and rob your GOD?

Answer 5

I personally care. I do not see how being in jail makes them any less of a human being. And God loves them every bit as much as anyone else.

Answer 6

As a Christian they are instructed by the Bible to "Love your neighbor as yourself". This means when ANYONE suffers, the Christian suffers. Remember, Jesus was a prisoner. Paul, the founder of Christ's church, was a prisoner.

Answer 7

Most of them care more about the prisoners than they do with victims.
They also have a better chance at
converting them to their belief system.
Unless the prisoner is all ready religious.

Answer 8

If you are a true Christian they better be caring about the human rights of anyone.

Answer 9

Probably just like any other group in America, there is division, due to everyones own views. Does everyone else that is not a Christian .............? Can you really answer that without everyons response? You are looking for something else I believe.

Answer 10

Yes, you answered your own question there.

If someone does something so wrong that s/he ends up in jail then they should lose all rights. Bread, water & solitary confinement!

Maybe then they wouldn't be so willing to reoffend.