I spent two days last week at work with prisoners in a Texas State Jail. These are non-violent offenders. Most are on schedule for early release. They sit up and pay attention in our class work. They do the things we need to place them.
And I wonder how they live long enough to leave a Texas state jail or prison.
Over 70% of our Texas state jails and prisons have no air conditioning. When I ask the men how I should pray for them, they tell me, “Our pod is on the west wall of the building. Pray we do not have heat stroke or a heart attack.”
They are not kidding. They pray not to die from heat exhaustion in their cells.
I know. If you cannot do the time, do not do the crime. Just say No. Be good or be gone. I know. You should go with me trying to raise money to house seven guys in a decent setting. There is just not much sympathy for them.
That said, it is inhumane to incarcerate men in a cage where they may die just from the exertion of drawing breath. We do this in Texas. I love Texas. I am a native Texan; the soil is sacred. I am happy to own an acre of Texas soil, free and clear.
We are wrong to put men and women in a stifling hot cell day after day. We are just wrong.
What can you and I do about it?
Call your State Representative and your State Senator. Call the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, where the political power resides. Certainly, let Governor Abbot know how you feel about baking prisoners.
Beloved, we ought to rehabilitate our prison population. Most of them will get out one day. They will be our neighbors. If for no other reason that enlightened self-interest we should show them kindness in hopes they learn kindness from us.
Let’s make a change in our state jails and prisons.