This is an opinion cartoon.
The Alabama prison horror story is getting special session treatment this week in Montgomery. The can is now a brick and too heavy to kick down the road. Are Alabama lawmakers finally in it to win it? Heavy sigh. We’ll see.
Related: Alabama horror story
Check out this illuminating piece from Dana Hall McCain: A Christian view of prison reform
Excerpts from McCain’s column: ‘When we look to scripture for direction on justice, we see God claiming justice as a fundamental aspect of his character. It is a front-and-center issue for him. And how is that concern for justice most frequently expressed? As concern for the marginalized and vulnerable.
“Who is it that most often winds up in an Alabama prison? Many are born into poverty, lack the benefit of a stable two-parent home, and don’t receive a good education. Additionally, as I touched on in the previous column, an alarming number of individuals who travel through the criminal justice system suffer from a mental health disorder.
“Another fundamental truth of Christianity is that our God is a fan of second chances.”
Expensive new buildings alone won’t solve Alabama’s prison crisis. We need a change of attitude. Rehab, refresh and reinvigorate.
Related: Alabama lawmakers will consider $1.4 billion plan to build 4,000 bed prisons
Related: Alabama leaders: No more avoiding the ‘prison problem’
Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe
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JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix.