Prisoners are people, too
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Editor,
In response to Maureen Theiler’s diatribe of “Bards Behind Bars, Really?” I was taken aback by the vindictiveness and the direction of the language.
While it’s one thing to rightfully question the expenditure of grant monies by a state university, it is quite another to ridicule a group of prisoners who cannot fight back an attack on a program designed or intended to help them, if only in a small way, to relieve the stresses of four walls and an unknown number of pitfalls every day.
Perhaps some will find a corollary to their lives and affect a change. That’s a good thing. Many of us have friends in prison, or have been in. There, but for the singular and unique saving grace of God, have gone any of us.
As I see, the institution is named “The Department of Corrections” and their efforts should not be open to the ridicule displayed in her letter.
Just so you know, Madame, prisoners are human beings, the same as you or I. For whatever circumstances and misfortunes brought them to their present stations, they are paying their dues.
I have seen hardened criminals changed by the most innocuous of events, seen the same brought to a single tear at the plaintive strain of a violin, or the mention of the name of a child back home.
The Apostle Paul, having served in many prisons himself, exhorts us to “Always pray for those in chains.” I do this daily for those I know, without ceasing.
Your diatribe did bring to my mind a scene in Macbeth, involving three certain women and a boiling cauldron. I wouldn’t want to be remembered in such a way.
I thank God for all I have known in my life who were, or are, imprisoned and I pray for their hope always. I would offer you, Maureen, a timeout in your busy day to pause and reflect upon the Lord.
Mike McCloud
Polson
