Copyright 2008 Rev. John Rush
(These stats have risen since this writing in 2008)
A former sex offender recently told me how remorseful he feels since learning of the harm caused to the younger victim years ago. This fellow Christain stands humbly beside me among the redeemed at the foot of the cross of Salvation. Both inside and outside the church, the fate of a sexual offender is a divisive issue and, as one having served in prison Chaplaincy and Pastoral Ministry for 40 years, my perspective on this issue brings me into dialogue with many on this topic.
In the past we have had laws that have repressed certain groups of people. Future generations will judge our choice of laws now by whether we based them more on facts or feelings and conveinience. Do we want more to change and build people or tear them down? Currently there are new laws known as “residency restrictions” adopted by about 100 municipalities in my state forbidding thousands of men and women from locating near their own families or accessible housing. Many of these, even after great effort, find it extremely difficult to find a suitable place to reside. Some are sent back into jails only because at this point they are forced by their neighbors (the voters) into homelessness. Some of these have been fatherless much or all their lives and deserve some extra care. Some professing Christians are among those who nurse bitterness toward repentant offenders. Often this is driven by a somewhat understandable anger toward the sin of a young person being injured emotionally, if not physically by some sexual offence.
We have learned from research that only a small percent of sex offenders pose a serious threat of re -offending. In of Pennsylvania, there are over 13,000 registered men and women under Megan’s Law but only 250 are labeled by the courts as SVP or “sexually violent predator.” We know who these are and where most are. We do well to exercise great care before shunning and marginalizing thousands of our neighbors who our Lord tells us to love.
Research has shown that, except for the higher-level offenders and those refusing treatment, most of these convicts tend to not repeat the same offense. This offender has one of the lowest recidivism rates, contrary to what many tend to believe. I have heard this from leadership at the top of both our Parole and Corrections systems. As one familiar with these systems and director of release transitional programs many years, I feel confident this is trustworthy.
Among the thousands incarcerated for sex crimes, many are minor violations of laws recently manufactured by legislators meaning well but shortsighted about unintended consequences on these persons and families. I would call for balance. Along with concern for safety and victims, let us remain open to learn and discuss together how forgiveness and mercy can give us common ground for justice that is restorative along with any reasonable punishment.
Repressive laws sometimes become unrighteous laws that directly become harmful and useful tools used as political excuses to gain votes motivated by fears, yet some of the outcomes advance vengeance, hate, bitterness, and additional harm. Jesus pronounced repeated woe upon those, including the religious types, who used laws, policies, and procedures to weigh down people while neglecting or refusing to put effort into lifting these upward in constructive ways. The Bible tells believers to do good to all men, and especially to those of the household of faith.
According to Parole, there are currently 500 in Pennsylvania who have served their time inside a prison and have met the qualifications to be released, yet still sit in cells, at a high cost to taxpayers, only because suitable places to live are too limited.
My immediate challenge and call to the church is to do more to assist these homeless, especially those who sit needlessly in prison bewildered as to why their fellow believers singing about compassion and forgiveness do so little to assist at this transitional time of their lives.
Some of the Church sponsored transitional programs refuse to admit even Christian former sex offenders due to pressure from local authorities or fearful Christian supporters who pray the Lords Prayer, yet find forgiveness of some things unattainable. Churches should take every precaution to protect children and adults from sins, including those of any sexual nature. The Bible calls on us to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of issues, including the whys and wherefores of sexual offending. Many sex offenders have themselves been abused by folks still “singing in the choir” beside whom we say we feel safe. These too are victims, and we do well to care for and pray for their healing. About 90% of the violations are not from strangers. Laws on residency restrictions address only a tip of this cold iceberg. To deny anyone normal access to affordable housing where his best support exits is cruel and counter-productive. For example, a city like Lancaster in Pennsylvania seems attractive to tourists for its friendliness, however many former sex offenders are barred from about 95% of all housing in that city. This in spite of the fact that their parents, spouses, children and other supporters may need them to return home. I know several who were even told not to attend their churches once released from prison. Treatment providers have discouraged even church attendance and then Parole agents in at least some cases simply endorsed that.
Finally, I call us to stay engaged in, with love and prayerful wisdom, talking and acting in a way that honors the advance of Christ’s Kingdom. Fads exist socially as well as with clothing styles. The Christian Church must stand tall above the clamoring crowds. In the 70′s, 80′s, and 90′s when I took sex offenders into our church-sponsored transitional housing programs, those same offenders where treated like any other type who had caused harm and paid a price for it. In the 80′s there was a season where drug offenders were especially “spit upon” by many public managers. Now this sub-group of criminals receives lots of treatment based on knowledge. Currently it is the sex offenders getting marginalized. Thankfully knowledge is growing based on research and is slowly being heard by the church and in the public square.
I pray the Church will following her head Jesus and more pro-actively step forward to be the salt and light needed for such a time as this on this subject impacting so many in our communities.
* Seems to me we need to be humble and cautious before “casting the first stone”
* Laws should be more based upon facts rather than impulse
* Always include opportunity for renewal and rehabilitation, using punish only as necessary
* Consider the economic and social costs which can soon become too burdensome
* Jesus Christ criticized the Pharisees for weighing people down while not offering relief
Rev. John Rush is the Executive Director of Justice and Mercy, Inc. (http://www.justicemercy.org), and Manager of New Person Center
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