We Believe in the Possibility of Redemption: A Statement of Faith on Parole Eligibility for People Sentenced to Life Without Parole—Sign Now

To sign the letter below, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjG900OVTEytMvu0rHhMuzGFfq7L8bFMxeaEEPPMBnPYy6yg/viewform.

As people of faith, we support legislation that would allow for parole eligibility for those serving life sentences. This is because we believe in the full humanity of those who are harmed by violence and those who perpetrate harm.

We know the suffering and grief of people who have lost loved ones to violence. Many of us have held services and buried people who have been killed. Each person who is taken from us is an unimaginable and devastating loss that sends a ripple of suffering throughout our communities and into the world.

Our communities also know the grief of losing a loved one to the prison system. Too many have been sent away for too long without a meaningful chance to redeem themselves. We lament that our prison system warehouses and dehumanizes members of our communities who have perpetrated harm rather than seeking their transformation into better neighbors. And too many people know both the grief of losing a loved one to violence and the pain of having a loved one incarcerated.

As people of faith we believe in the power of transformation and forgiveness. We believe that people can work to change themselves for the better. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” (Isaiah 59:1). All of our traditions command us to seek forgiveness. The Qur’an states, “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:199)

Pennsylvania has the second largest population of people sentenced to Life Without Parole in the country. Of the 5,300 people serving Life Without Parole in PA prisons, many are aging and elderly prisoners who present no risk to public safety and languish in prisons at a tremendous cost to society. Some are people who never took a life or intended to kill, but were an accomplice in a crime where someone was killed. Many are people who have turned their lives around after many years of incarceration and take part in productive and positive efforts from behind prison walls. Some are members of faith communities. Others are a part of anti-violence and restorative justice initiatives. All of them are someone’s son, daughter, friend, wife, husband or beloved family member.

The current system is centered on punishment. We want a system that encourages transformation and accountability, and where those who have perpetrated harm can try to atone for some of the harm they caused. We believe everyone should have the chance to go before the parole board to demonstrate that they have changed. We believe in the human capacity for redemption and the possibility of a second chance for those who have done the hard work to redeem themselves.

Because we believe in healing, justice, and the power of redemption, we support Senate Bill 135 and House Bill 135. These bills in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would allow those serving life sentences to go before the parole board. We are asking our legislators to support these bills and calling on all people of faith to join us in advocating for systems that promote healing and accountability.