Imagine a donut shop that has the purpose of baking donuts daily for one hundred customers, and every day, seventy-six of those customers return to the shop to demand a refund. If the shop owner gave each of them a total refund, then the store would only make a profit off of twenty-four customers. With a success rate of only twenty-four percent, the logical next step for this business would be to close down or change how they serve their purpose. Unfortunately, this example of a failing donut shop is exactly what the prison system in the United States is dealing with. The fundamental purpose of prison is to remove those who have committed crimes from society, and then educate them to be good citizens. Unfortunately, American prisons are failing …show more content…
The book of Luke gives a clear explanation of Jesus’ misson by saying, “For the son of man came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:9, ESV). This verse shows that Jesus came in order to save sinners; as a result of this, Jesus spent most of his time with those who had lost their way and needed to be brought back to the light. Accordingly, if Jesus were to come to earth today, he would not be visiting churches and people who are following his word, but he would be preaching to criminals and people who need him. The apostle Mark writes that, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17, ESV). This verse creates a beautiful analogy to show why Jesus came to earth, and it also gives Christians an example of what their purpose is. If Jesus spent his time trying to change the lives of tax collectors, thieves, and adulterers, then Christians should follow suit and bring the Gospel to prisoners. From a Biblical perspective, it is clear that prisons should focus on turning people's lives around by rehabilitating them with the