Someone once made the comment, “You don’t see many Jewish boys in prison.” This simple statement
made me stop and think.
It appears to be true. Consider the following:
“Maximum-security
prisons in the United States have relatively few Jewish inmates, according to
the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-affiliated organization that reaches out to Jews
behind bars. Most Jews in the prison system usually end up at lower-security
facilities for crimes such as fraud or tax evasion.”[1] (With exceptions like Bernie Madoff (left) ,
David Berkowitz, and some mafia types!!)
Another website says, “Jews
in prison in the United States are a small group in absolute or relative
numbers. In 1998, there were approximately 1,700 Jewish prisoners out of 1.5
million, according to Congressional testimony--a little more than one in 1,000.”[2] That
is .00113% of those in prison. At one point only 10 Jews waited on death row.
Relative to Black, White, and Hispanic inmates, it seems to be true. "Not many Jewish boys go to prison."
Why? Are they better people? No. They’re just like everyone else. Is it because many of them are rich? That might be a factor but not the whole picture.
Jewish culture is largely based on belief in God and a moral
code. Hard work, family, and faith are important concepts. The moral code applies to each member of the community. This is the root reason as to why few turn
to a life of crime. They traditionally live by a moral code that includes God.
That is my point. When people live this way, things go better for
them.
You might think, “But
many of the prisoners are Christians and Muslims, they have a moral code too.”
True. But the vast majority of them come to those religious convictions after they are imprisoned. Crises like divorce,
a near death experience, a hurricane, or going to jail - fuel religious conversion!
One study by a Department of Justice researcher noted, “A disproportionately high number of prisoners were not in any way
practicing religionists prior to incarceration. That is, they exhibited
none of the standard sociological measures of religiosity, such as regular
prayer, scripture study, and attendance at worship services.”[3]
A lot of men and women come out of prison as Christians, but
few start out that way. Desperation leads to change.
It is not people committed to a belief system and moral values who primarily end up in prison.
It is not people committed to a belief system and moral values who primarily end up in prison.
Which belief system? Which moral values are superior? The Christian Bible and ethic is unique and produces amazing results. That’s
for another discussion.
