Let He Who Is Without Sin…
Imagine…life behind bars with no hope of ever being given parole…
There’s a universal fascination around prisons and a less-than-subtle horror at the idea of ever being incarcerated in one. For most of us, fortunately, our understandings of how things might be within a prison wall, are fashioned by the books we read, or the news of the day, and not by actual prison experience.
And yet, we are all but one step away from imprisonment.
If you’ve ever driven home drunk, and been lucky enough not to mow down and kill a fellow citizen, you were only a happenstance away from imprisonment.
If you’ve quietly indulged in drugs, and then taken it a step too far and started dealing, whether you smack yourself on the head and stop, you too have been close to losing your freedom.
The right set of circumstances can permanently alter the trajectory of our lives, and we could so easily find ourselves tasting prison’s reality.
This morning I read this story on Medium. It troubled me.
It’s about death and the uncertainty of life. It’s about our lives being in constant fluctuation between life, and death.
It’s about choosing some form of life, over death.
The trouble is we don’t actually pay so much attention to that reality, life, over death. Such is the business of life.
The writer of this story, a gifted writer by the way, is a young man who has been incarcerated in prison, never to be released.
Yet he has killed no-one.
He never set out to break the law.
He has never been violent.
He didn’t trade drugs.
And even if we accept that the website he was responsible for setting up allowed for others to break the law, nothing was broken by his hand.
And yet, he has already served a significant number of years in prison, for, perhaps, the naivety of two things: his youth and lack of business clout.
‘The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration.
‘There are 2 million people in the nation’s prisons and jails — a 500% increase over the last 40 years. Changes in sentencing law and policy, not changes in crime rates, explain most of this increase. These trends have resulted in prison overcrowding and fiscal burdens on states to accommodate a rapidly expanding penal system, despite increasing evidence that large-scale incarceration is not an effective means of achieving public safety.’
Which leads me to wonder if the wild, cruel beasts may not be the ones who are behind bars. It may instead be others nestling comfortably and working within a prison system that is blind to forgiveness and the notion of rehabilitation.
Let’s just have a look at Ross
Ross was young, twenty-six when he set up the business. He had hopes and ambitions, that sadly worked against him, and now he finds himself in prison for life, while others who violated the laws of the land, were given far more lenient penalties.
Ross has his detractors. I have read comments on his work to the effect that they will never sign his father’s petition for his son’s release, usually referring to the drug-dealing he actually had no part in.
I want to pose this question.
Is there a bit of criminality in all of us? Can anyone stand here and say, I didn’t ever do anything wrong?
I also want to ask.
At twenty-six, with stars in your eyes, could you have set up an online business for the world to read and interpret, that went badly simply because you may have couched something in words that could be skewed by others?
You see, we here on Medium write our hearts out about things we care passionately about.
There’s encouragement by many within our ranks to bear our souls and write about matters that are better left unsaid. These stories have many followers, but…the day might come!
Could our words be misconstrued? Could we end up in jail because someone took offense at something we said?
It’s a scary possibility, that up until now, I had only vaguely considered.
So let’s see.
Ross languishes in prison. He has come to accept that to an extent.
His family and friends know him. They rail over his prison sentence.
But so far, no cigar!
We have an overcrowded American prison system, bulging at the seams.
Does that mean that Americans behave badly compared to the rest of the world?
I find that difficult to believe.
Yet there seems to be a malaise that needs addressing.
Bulging at the seams stands in stark contrast to that of Norway’s system.
Allow me to give you a little peek into Norway’s prison system. Norway, by the way, has been rated among the happiest counties in the world, several years in a row. They must be doing something right!
Norway’s prison systems…
‘Norway has consistently ranked number one on a number of lists entailing the best, most comfortable prisons in the world. Since the 1990s, Norway’s prison system has evolved into spaces that represent comfort, healing and inclusivity. Changing its approach and attitudes towards prisoners, Norway is molding high-functioning members of society. In return, former prisoners are gaining the necessary skills in order to contribute to Norway’s economy. Here is some information about Norway’s prison system.
- As of 2014, Norway’s incarceration rate was at only 75 per 100,000 people
- Since developing its new prison system in the 1990s, its recidivism rate has decreased from around 60–70% to only 20% in recent years.
- Norway has the primary goal of reintegrating its prisoners as stable contributors to communities.
- Many prisons in Norway have completely banned bars in their architectural design and have “open” style cells. At the maximum-security Halden prison, each prisoner has a toilet, shower, fridge and a flat TV screen with access to kitchens and common areas.
- Along with its innovative architectural style, Norway’s prison system ensures that it provides a multitude of programs and courses that one could find at traditional recreational centers.
- The Halden maximum facility allows its prisoners to enroll in yoga classes and at other places, inmates can choose to learn woodworking or even have access to studios.
- These programs ensure jails create a peaceful atmosphere, rather than a place for hatred and violence. Furthermore, Norwegian jails highlight the importance of education.
- Its primary goal is to encourage prisoners to not simply survive, but to live a full life once their sentence time reaches completion.
But better still, Norway is all about eliminating life sentences.
Should I write that twice?
Or thrice?
Norway has actually BANNED life sentences.
I can’t help but be excited about a prison system where CARE is the cornerstone.
Let’s have a look at just one who is serving a 15 year sentence for murder.
‘In a 2019 interview, Fredrik opened up about his time at the prison and his accomplishments since starting his sentence. He is currently publishing a prison cookbook, received a diploma in graphic design, aced multiple exams, currently studying physics and hopes to pursue higher education once his sentence reaches completion.
‘At another facility, prisoners spoke of the impact educational programs had on their mental health and hopes for the future. They admitted they had felt a sense of hopelessness because they believed the only real skill they held was selling drugs. However, after taking several courses, they felt accomplished and realized they could master different, proactive skills. Now, through their time in prison, they gained valuable life skills that can assist them in gaining legal jobs that will ensure they do not land back in prison.
I have a rather large tear in my eye right now!
Is there a lesson here for the rest of the world?
And before you answer that question, let me pose another.
Do you honestly believe that any one person wants to be a bad person?
Or might it be worth considering that the baggage they carry is a far too heavy load for them, and that something has to give way?
No one person is born bad.
And if that is the case, no one person should be considered bad for life!
‘Norway’s prison system may well become the leader for other countries across the globe to follow. One mission that is consistent throughout all of Norway’s facilities is the rehabilitation and reintegration of its prisoners into society. These prisons’ accepting, caring and empathetic approach has paved the way for many prisoners into becoming fine citizens supporting their country’s economy.’
But back to Ross and his internment.
Right now there is a world-wide action taking place to free Ross Ulbricht.
‘Ross has been steadfastly supported by family and friends, as well as by many across the political spectrum.
‘There is a strong consensus that his case is a miscarriage of justice that needs to be remedied.
‘The broad, diverse and bipartisan support includes over 250 organizations, eminent individuals and leaders. Ross’s petition is the largest clemency petition to the President on Change.org with nearly 1/2 million signatures.’
I’ll leave you with some quotes from notable political figures.
“Should Ross Ulbricht’s unduly harsh sentence be left to stand, it would be harmful to both our legal system and the trust that the public places in our courts to impartially administer the law.”
– Governor Gary Johnson
New Mexico (1995–2003)
“We have become overly aggressive with our criminal justice system in the U.S. We imprison more people, and apply longer sentences, than any country on the face of the planet. People like Ross should be afforded the opportunity of redemption as soon as possible. For Ross, that is now.”
– Neill Franklin
Former Executive Director, Law Enforcement Action Partnership. 34-year Police Veteran
“In no way can a sentence so egregious — or anything remotely close to it — be justified. The punishment does not fit the crime, is wildly disproportionate and its injustice is manifest…Ross Ulbricht’s disparate, draconian sentence risks undermining the American people’s faith in our justice system.” (in joint clemency letter)
– 40 Criminal Justice Organizations
“When you read Ross Ulbricht’s history, you find out he is not a vicious criminal…I would pardon him…Two times life imprisonment and never committed a violent crime! It’s time for the American people to wake up!…I hope that anybody capable of being close to the president might give him a little nudge.”
– Ron Paul
Former Congressman and Presidential Candidate
You can read many more of these here.
Also, check out the sentence disparities here.
