Do Prisoners Deserve Christmas Gifts and Cookies?

[Allison]

I am trying my absolute hardest to say this in a non-snarky manner but really:

Christmas = celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ

The man (God), who for Christians, forgives all sins and acts with love?

KWIM?

But by all means, if you feel the prisoners aren't deserving of forgiveness and love on the holiday that celebrates the Savior, then get out your baking sheet and bake some cookies for the Nursing Home in the name of Jesus. I'm sure he'll appreciate your efforts.

Yes, the OP's post is pretty ironic considering who Christmas is celebrating.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I am wondering if the OP had a family member in prison, if they would still feel the same way. Jesus is full of love for everyone.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Grace, kindness, and decency... the world needs a whole lot more of it.

 

[DrPierreMcDuck]

Without getting into a religious discussion, my thought that is that the whole ultimate point of the Christian religion is redemption and forgiveness, so no, giving Christmas gifts and bibles to prisoners is not out of line. That doesn't mean prison life should be easy, but unless you're Paris Hilton and treated with kid gloves, it probably isn't going to be anyway.

Also, one thing I'd point out is that if we're dealing with a person who is not sentenced to death or life or a period that is the equivalent of the remainder of his or her life, then it is obvious that person will be getting out at some point. Prison should be difficult, but not so difficult that the person can never mentally function in regular society again or else what is the point? While the true monsters in society should be dealt with severely (and I am not against the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes), I think we have to be careful not to form a prison environment that creates its own monsters.

 

[Sorsha]

I have a cousin-in-law serving time in the clink for a really bad, really stupid choice. He knows it was a bad choice, he admitted to his crime, and pled guilty to spare his family a lengthy trial. I truely believe that when he is released, he will live a good life. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Just because he made one really bad choice, does that make him less deserving of our love and caring and kindness? On the contrary - I think knowing that we have not lost faith in him and still care for him lead him to strive even more for rehabilitation and look forward to his release and freedom.

Why kick someone when they are down?

 

[curious3069]

A local church asked students in high school to make Christmas cookies for people in jail. The church members are taking the cookies, and socks and Bibles to the inmates.

I think if a person does something to land themselves in jail they have given up their right to Christmas gifts and cookies. They just don't deserve them. I would rather see the cookies and gifts be taken to a nursing home, or given out to the homeless in shelters, etc. rather than to prisoners.

What do you think?

I don't think people who go to jail somehow become subhuman and no longer deserve any kindness. It's cookies, socks, and bibles, not many creature comforts from what I can see. Who knows, it might do the students some good in addition to the prisoners.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

If I was lacking in the Christmas spirit before, reading these responses would sure bring it back. Thank you for such thoughtful posts that remind us that kindness and decency are good attributes during the Christmas season and all year long.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A local church asked students in high school to make Christmas cookies for people in jail. The church members are taking the cookies, and socks and Bibles to the inmates.

I think if a person does something to land themselves in jail they have given up their right to Christmas gifts and cookies. They just don't deserve them. I would rather see the cookies and gifts be taken to a nursing home, or given out to the homeless in shelters, etc. rather than to prisoners.

What do you think?

Jail? Or prison? Are you aware there's a difference? Jail is where one is held after arrest, while awaiting trial, if bail or some kind of release arrangement can't be made.

Prison is where the criminal serves the sentence. We still, as far as I know, operate under an innocent until proven guilty basis in this country. People in jail - accused but not convicted - shouldn't be denied small pleasures at this time of year.

I think it's a kind and generous action. Many other organizations will see to the nursing homes.

 

[luvmy3]

I am wondering if the OP had a family member in prison, if they would still feel the same way. Jesus is full of love for everyone.

I'm not religious so I don't feel a need to ever consider what Jesus would do.
I can't speak for the OP but if I had a relative in prison than I'd probably would bring them a present. However I wouldn't ask the local Church and certainly not the local HS students to bring them something.

 

[FireDancer]

Unless I missed an amendment to the constitution no one has a right to Christmas gift and cookies. I don't think the government should be footing the bill to send each inmate cookies and a gift but if a church or high school chooses to do something nice for inmates and bring them cookies I don't see the problem. The only exception would be Ma Beagle because she kept baking stuff into her goodies so her kids could escape from prison. Now that I agree is uncalled for.

Well, I guess that is unless that amendment that granted everyone the constitutional right to Christmas cookies took away free choice.

 

[AshleyW]

Jail? Or prison? Are you aware there's a difference? Jail is where one is held after arrest, while awaiting trial, if bail or some kind of release arrangement can't be made.

Prison is where the criminal serves the sentence. We still, as far as I know, operate under an innocent until proven guilty basis in this country. People in jail - accused but not convicted - shouldn't be denied small pleasures at this time of year.

I think it's a kind and generous action. Many other organizations will see to the nursing homes.

Not around here. Our jail is for people awaiting trial, yes, but it also houses those convicted of misdemeanors and other crimes where sentences are usually less than one year (DUI, domestic abuse, theft, etc). You normally only go to prison (around here) if you're convicted of a felony or violent crime, or if you're a repeat offender.

Personally, I wouldn't bring cookies to people in jail. But I have no problem with others doing so.

 

[scrapquitler]

A local church asked students in high school to make Christmas cookies for people in jail. The church members are taking the cookies, and socks and Bibles to the inmates.

I think if a person does something to land themselves in jail they have given up their right to Christmas gifts and cookies. They just don't deserve them. I would rather see the cookies and gifts be taken to a nursing home, or given out to the homeless in shelters, etc. rather than to prisoners.

What do you think?

So if one of your family members were in jail, you wouldn't bring them a Christmas gift or plate of cookies, or send them a card?

From a religious standpoint (because Christmas IS a religious holiday, even if many of us celebrate in a completely secular way), it is a celebration of Christianity, which preaches forgiveness of sins and cleansing the soul. Who NEEDS that more than prisoners?

From a non-religous standpoint: most of the people in prison have had a crappy life. Some of their own doing, some as a result of the circumstances they were born into. Perhaps a little expression of caring and compassion (represented by the cookies and socks) can help them to see that not everyone in the world hates them and feels contempt for them...and that might just help them to open the door for changing themselves and making themselves into better people and rehabilitating themselves so that they can become productive members of society after they finish their sentence.

I think that at the holiday, we should be caring and compassionate to EVERYONE who is in difficult circumstances, even if they are in that position because of their own poor choices.

 

[clarabelle]

I am religious- it makes sense to me on that level

It also makes sense to me as a member of society. We don't want to create monsters in prison
Many of them will come back into society -and if a little human kindness helps create a better person -I am all for it

I have often wondered what the results of a really nurturing prison would be like. You know -kind of like nursery school. Lots of hugs, cookies, learning.
I don't know if the results would be any worse than they are now

 

[Sorsha]

The only exception would be Ma Beagle because she kept baking stuff into her goodies so her kids could escape from prison. Now that I agree is uncalled for.

 

[scrapquitler]

I think Christmas isn't about judging who is worthy of receiving an act of kindness.

 

[jeepgirl30]

A local church asked students in high school to make Christmas cookies for people in jail. The church members are taking the cookies, and socks and Bibles to the inmates.

I think if a person does something to land themselves in jail they have given up their right to Christmas gifts and cookies. They just don't deserve them. I would rather see the cookies and gifts be taken to a nursing home, or given out to the homeless in shelters, etc. rather than to prisoners.

What do you think?

While I do not see anything wrong with helping others and giving on Christmas, I'd rather see high schoolers doing this for children in need.

 

[luvmy3]

I'll ask since its been brought up more than once, but isn't the point of forgiveness to forgive those who are truly sorry? In that case, I'd check how many repeat offenders there are, those who are on their 2nd prison term fall on the naughty list. No gift for you....next!

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I am wondering if the OP had a family member in prison, if they would still feel the same way. Jesus is full of love for everyone.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[LSmith]

While I do not see anything wrong with helping others and giving on Christmas, I'd rather see high schoolers doing this for children in need.

Why? There are a million different charities. Why should you decide which charity this church helps?

You are free to give to children in need.

 

[RitaE]

I'll ask since its been brought up more than once, but isn't the point of forgiveness to forgive those who are truly sorry? In that case, I'd check how many repeat offenders there are, those who are on their 2nd prison term fall on the naughty list. No gift for you....next!

Very difficult to get into this without breaking board rules but in the Christian scriptures all humans sin repeatedly.