Date: Friday, April 3rd 
Scripture: Proverbs 29:4
“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
By Beth Taylor
Our justice system is nothing if not greedy. When I first got involved in criminal justice reform, I was shocked to find
out that many prisons and jails charge inmates daily rent. In Pennsylvania, these fees can range from $5 a day to more than $70 a day. This means that in addition to facing all of the challenges that come with re-entry, one of which is finding employment and earning a living wage, a returning citizen is immediately burdened with a debt they’ll struggle to repay – a debt that can total in the tens of thousands.
Plus, while incarcerated, local and county jail inmates are charged inflated rates to make phone calls because the cost includes commissions, or kickbacks to the jail, and added fees. And there are the commissary charges. And bail, which results in the typical US jail being about 60% filled not with convicted criminals but with people awaiting trial, stuck behind bars because of their poverty.
Beyond monetary greed, the system is too often greedy for punishment, not rehabilitation. This allows for the routine use of prolonged, indefinite solitary confinement with no concern of its devastating effects. And this is just the tip of the iceberg -the list could go on and on. The consequences of this greed reach far beyond the prison walls, rippling out in ever wider circles – families, friends, communities, our spirits, our faith. The despair of it all can be overwhelming and changing the system can seem impossible.
But doing the work to change the seemingly impossible has been exactly what has renewed my faith and spirit over and over again. The energy generated by coming together in solidarity with those currently imprisoned, prison survivors, affected families, faith communities, and ordinary community members like me gives me hope that systemic change is not a pipe dream and that we will finally see the true justice that we demand.
Prayer: Lord, in the face of blatant greed and injustice renew our faith and spirit so we may continue to do the work of sharing your love with the world. Amen.
Criminal Justice Fact: PA charges inmates a $5 co-pay to visit the doctor while the minimum wage for a prison job is $0.19.
Action: Familiarize yourself with the district attorney and county commissioners in your county.
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