KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — A resolution on racial disparities in the criminal-justice system received a first reading at a Nov. 12-13 meeting of American Baptists’ Board of National Ministries.
The proposed resolution, scheduled to receive a second reading in June, denounces “attitudes of racism, sexism and classism” found in the current judicial system. In addition, it says, the system often is motivated by vengeance instead of rehabilitation.
“A criminal-justice system shaped by these forces cannot achieve its purpose of protecting society and individuals from harmful or dangerous conduct,” the statement says, “nor can it rehabilitate the offender so that he or she may return to society as a useful member.”
The resolution says the system is unjust toward African-Americans, who represent a disproportionate percentage of the prison population, and the poor, who are unable to afford private counsel and thus tend to suffer worse outcomes in criminal proceedings than those who can afford their own attorneys.
It cites statistics showing suggesting that harsh sentencing schemes such as those used in anti-drug efforts also discriminate, with African Americans serving more frequent and longer prison terms than whites.
“While the thriving of an orderly society requires legal codes and their enforcement, followers of Jesus the Christ are charged with protecting the humanity of all people,” the resolution states. “This requires a justice system that safeguards the dignity of all people (including those incarcerated), tempers justice with mercy and, above all, treats all those accused equally.”
If adopted, the resolution would call on American Baptists to become active in groups that promote prison reform, increase awareness of unfairness in criminal laws and policies, support drug-treatment options, support increases in public-defender spending and find ways for churches to support victims, the incarcerated and their families.
In March the Progressive National Baptist Convention produced an 87-page resource titled What Shall We Then Do? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities, to help congregations minister to members who are affected by the criminal justice system — whether as defendants, prisoners, victims, people being released from prison or family members of all.
It is available free-of-charge on the National Ministries website.
A 2001 resolution by the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA advocated “restorative justice” as an alternative to incarceration.
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.