Prison

On our trip we had the privilege to meet with Iceland's pastor for prison ministries. Among his talents for ministering to those in prison, he is also an amazing chef which we experienced first hand when we visited his home. During our discussion of the prison system in Iceland we learned that there are only around 180 people in prison in Iceland at any given time. There is a waiting list for those who have committed recent crimes because there is not enough space for any more prisoners. The waiting list numbers in the 300s. Also, a figure that surprised some of us was that the sentence for murder is 16 years (I believe, however, it might be 18, I am not sure). Most prisoners, however, only serve around 1/2 to 2/3 of their sentence in prison and the rest on parole. The focus of the prison system here, however, is rehabilitation rather than punishment, which seems to be the focus of the system in the U.S.

In a discussion following our dinner with this pastor, we discussed how the victim would feel about the murderer only serving 16 years in prison. We discussed what punishment would be "enough" for murder, which stems from our U.S. cultural understanding of what prisons are for, namely, punishment. However, I believe there is something inherently wrong with viewing the prison system as a way in which the victims are supposed to feel the punishment of others as a balm for their own hurt. This is not a Christian understanding of reconciliation and forgiveness, this is a cultural understanding of feeling better by putting the other down. If we claim that we should receive healing from the hurt of another who caused us pain, this is, in a sense, making an idol of someone else's suffering whereby we seek comfort and healing from something other than God.

We are also called to forgive. We state in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." This is a bold statement which we should consider closely when we pray. We are asking God to forgive us as we forgive others (which is a scary thought). I am not saying, however, that this is an easy process. Forgiveness is a struggle, especially forgiving someone who has taken the life of someone you love. This is not to say, however, that we are not called to do it. We are called to do difficult things as Christians, and forgiving is one of them.

I think there is much to learn from the Icelandic prison system. I think it would be good in the U.S. to have the prisoner pay for therapy for the victims as part of the sentence so that the focus of healing is not entirely on the punishment of the prisoner. Also, it is hard to say how much time is necessary for rehabilitation of a prisoner, which was pointed out by the pastor of prison ministry. It might only take a murder one year in prison to understand how horrible the actions were that they committed. It might take longer than 16 years as well.

God, I ask for the healing of those who have been hurt by criminal actions. Help them to seek and obtain reconciliation, forgiveness, and wholeness. I also ask that those who have committed crimes to learn from their mistakes and to also forgiveness for their actions. Help us to not seek fulfillment through the suffering of others but to realize that fulfillment and healing are gifts from you. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.