ב"ה
The Rebbe's View on Incarceration
Living Torah
The Rebbe's View on IncarcerationThe Torah considers denying a human being the ability to impact the world through incarceration as inhumane. Instead, we are responsible to help rehabilitate criminals to contribute productively to a moral and just society. We must ensure that prison acts not just as a punishment, but as an opportunity for positive growth.
The Rebbe's View on Incarceration
Disc 156, Program 624
Event Date: 14 Adar II 5736 - March 16, 1976
While the modern legal system has prisons at the core of its establishment, the Torah never features prison as a form of punishment, even as a deterrent. This, because the idea of locking someone up is antithetical to the nature of humanity. According to the Torah, a person was put on this earth for a purpose. Withholding one’s ability to achieve that purpose is the most inhumane treatment he can possibly suffer. We’re responsible to make sure that criminals are helped in their lives, rehabilitating them to a productive life in a moral and just society. We must ensure that prison acts not just as a punishment, but as an opportunity for positive growth. |
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Carolyn Riddle
Austin
June 11, 2020
Sadly our prison system won't change until private corporations that are paid by how many prisoners they house are abolished. America should have treatment centers for mental illness and drug dependency.
Cynthia Nayeh
TAMPA
September 2, 2020
Yes, I would agree to that. It is shameful that is permitted to exist in the United States. How much humiliation can a person to be expected to suffer.? The prisoners are made to pay for phone calls, for commissary, to allow them to eat something nutritious . The food is horrible there, and if a prisoner has no family to help him or her, God help them. It is nothing but torture. I cannot believe this is permitted to continue in the USA. What can be done to change this?
Dorit Rotter
Houston
June 2, 2024
I agree. My son has been incarcerated since January 2022. He has not had his trial.
Yisroel
NY
June 8, 2020
excellent torah. perhaps this spiritual insight will also support the work of abolishing prisons and building a more just world with transformative forms of rehabilitation and restitution.
Jared Pomarlen
Wayne
June 8, 2020
Perhaps, this is the true answer, to you know what...
Mary Dullinger
August 23, 2016
Remember People seem to forget that although another has erred, they remain important to Ha'shem. All they need to do is remember the story of the Children of Israel that although they had been freed from slavery and fed abundantly, still worshipped a gold idol or David's adultery and murder of Uriah, the Chitite.
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Some types MUST be locked away. Child ab"users" [or TERRORISTS, as I call them] CANNOT be "reformed". They never repent, and do not pay compensation to us victims.WE are slaves of their EVIL,crippled, deformed, unable to earn a living,or slaving in menial labour.. WE are in prison ALWAYS. THAT must be fought. Enough with feeling sorry for these freaks, MAKE THEM PAY !!!