For I was in prison ... Ou Wichita, KS chapter has a special interest in our deeply broken prison system and develops new ideas for restorative justice and reconciliation. Also read this Deseret Morning News article.
	Beyond Prisons - a Book Review Examining "a national culture of punishment" which distrusts prisoners and eschews the notions of redemption and rehabilitation which were once the founding principles of prisons.

Wichita - Bulletin Board

Richard Lange is spearheading efforts to begin a MESJ chapter in Wichita, KS, with a special interest in our deeply broken prison system and with new ideas for restorative justice and reconciliation.

“For I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:16

For more information, or if you would like to join the Wichita chapter please email Richard: crlange@cox.net


• WE WANT THEM TO HAVE SELF WORTH…

• So we destroy their self-worth.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE…

• So we take away all responsibilities.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY…

• So we isolate them from our community.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE…

• So we degrade them and make them useless.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE TRUSTWORTHY…

• So we put them where there is no trust.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE NON-VIOLENT…

• So we put them where there is violence all around them.

• WE WANT THEM TO BE KIND & LOVING PEOPLE…

• So we subject them to hatred & cruelty.

• WE WANT THEM TO QUIT BEING THE TOUGH GUY…

• So we put them where the tough guy is respected.

• WE WANT THEM TO QUIT HANGING AROUND WITH LOSERS…

• So we put all the losers in the state under one roof.

• WE WANT THEM TO QUIT EXPLOITING US…

• So we put them where they can exploit each other.

• WE WANT THEM TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES & THEIR OWN PROBLEMS…

• So we make them totally dependent on us.

Adapted from: Making It Right: A Common Sense Approach To Criminal Justice by Dennis Chaleen (1986).

Prison not best way to deal with drug use The failed "war on drugs" has filled jails and prisons with non-violent offenders who often have substance abuse and mental health problems...