The above statement voiced by God through Ezekiel suggests the need to prepare more chains for imprisonment, because of increasing crime. It shows ancient Israel awash with violence. Are we any different today? The sobering facts about widespread crime in North America show that Ezekiel's message is still applicable.

The total number of prisoners in the United States increased from 319,000 in 1980 to 1.3 million in 1999. Another 523,000 people were also in jail. This translates into 1 in every 150 Americans being in prison or jail. This is disturbing for a society perceived as law abiding and which inscribes its currency with "In God We Trust." Crime and a godly society are not compatible.

These figures look even worse when contrasted with Canada's 1998 incarceration rate of only 135 per 100,000, less than one-fifth the U.S. rate. What is even further alarming is that this doesn't include additional criminals who are still at large (Encarta, "National Criminal Justice Commission").

How many criminals are out there?

We know it is not possible to lock up all offenders who deserve to be imprisoned and that some criminals are never captured. Space and budget constraints even prevent many of those caught from going to prison. Yet the United Sates has one of the world's highest crime rates, as well as the world's highest rate of imprisonment. More than five times the number of existing prisons (including those currently under construction) would be required to incarcerate all those convicted of crimes in the United States.

Since 1980, the United States has engaged in the largest correctional buildup of any country in the history of the world. During this time the number of Americans in prison and jail has tripled to 1.5 million. Within some minority groups, this rate has increased tenfold. What is happening to the "land of the free"?

Consider the man-hours required for just the fingerprinting, photography and paperwork involved. Stuffed into police files are about 50 million criminal records—enough to represent nearly one-fifth of the entire U.S. population. One would think the extraordinary expansion of the criminal justice system would have made at least a small dent in the crime rate! But no.

We also learn that 2 percent of the potential male workforce is behind bars! What a tragic loss of manhood for the nation. In some areas, close to half of young African Americans are in the criminal system. In many cities one third of all young African American men aged 18 to 34 are under supervision—either in jail or prison, on probation or parole or awaiting trial. Shouldn't we mourn this failure of young manhood, of their potential, aspirations and dreams?

Nearly 94 percent of all prisoners in U.S. prisons are male; the rate is 97 percent in Canada. Despite the high rate of imprisonment, crime has not been reduced, and few of us feel any safer.

Turnstile justice

Authorities acknowledge that rehabilitation attempts have largely failed and the system is plagued with repeat offenders. The fact that more than 9 out of 10 inmates currently in prison will be released at some point adds to the growing worry of recidivism.

Almost every U.S. and Canadian prison operates programs that are part of inmate rehabilitation. Most offer counseling and educational programs designed to help inmates with drug or alcohol dependencies or mental health problems. But experts generally agree that little rehabilitation among inmates occurs and since the 1970s, U.S. prisons have reduced the scope and availability of programs. Confirming this is a constant 65 percent rate of repeat offenders over the past two decades. This means almost two thirds of those released are convicted again for committing new crimes. About 40 percent of Canada's released inmates are subsequently

convicted of new crimes, with 20 percent later convicted of a violent one.

Frightful trends face the prison system

It has been estimated that one quarter of all inmates are victims of sexual assault each year during incarceration. There is a rapid spread of HIV and crowded prisons provide a prime setting for AIDS epidemics. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 1995 more than 24,000 prisoners (2.3 percent of all inmates) tested positive for HIV. The overall rate of confirmed AIDS cases for prisoners in 1995 was more than six times the rate for the general population. Despite the preventative measures taken in prisons to eliminate transmission of the AIDS virus, the number of HIV-infected prisoners continued to grow during the 1990s.

Gangs exist in every U.S. prison and tend to form along racial or ethnic lines. An inmate gang subculture is also pervasive in international prisons. Many of these gangs have evolved elaborate social organizations with hierarchies of authority. In many respects, they have taken the control of prisoners away from administrators. Gangs create a network able to harm those who violate their code or who resist them. Penalties the formal prison system can inflict pose much less of a threat than dangers from gangs.

The social and communal structure of prisons can actually impede rehabilitation and reintegration back into normal society. Inmates acquire attitudes and knowledge from other prisoners that strengthen their desire to engage in criminal behavior, as well as improving their knowledge and skills in committing crime.

In 1997 there were more than 14,000 assaults upon correctional personnel. Stress and burnout are especially likely to occur during the first year of a correctional officer's job, and annual turnover rates of prison personnel range from 14 to 38 percent.

What governments could try

Instead of locking up offenders, which only hardens them and gives them more skills for crime, innovative systems that have offenders serve society could be tried. There are huge areas of community need in every city and town. For example, there are parks and gardens to tend; roadsides, rivers and beaches to clean up; railways, bridges and buildings to maintain; and the aged to serve in care facilities and hospitals. It takes careful thought about what could be done if a government would use its power and authority to do it. Valuable physical labor in serving others might bring about a real change in life values.

The justice system could increase offenders' awareness of the pain suffered by their victims. Confront offenders with the impact of their crime. Introduce them to compensation claims and needs—even if they must work upon release to repay the harm done. After all, shouldn't they repay the damages they caused in some just measure?

But can we have much hope of any of this? Probably not. That's what Ezekiel's prophecy for our time indicates. In simple truth, relative to the millions of crimes that are committed each year, the justice system imprisons only a small fraction of all offenders. Those who do go to prison are likely among the worst predatory criminals.

Americans are paying a heavy human and financial toll for government failure to know what to do about crime. Given the U.S. crime rate, that toll is bound to become heavier over the next decade.

In the meantime, protect yourself

Given the worrying crime rate, take every precaution to harden yourself as a target: your car, home, personal property and your personal security. Be aware of crime and avoid dangerous situations. Many local law enforcement officials offer helpful tips about not becoming a victim of crime.

Return to the value of looking out for one another. Encourage a sense of community in your neighborhood. Know your neighbors and do things for each other, as you watch out for each other.

Be willing to get involved for others. Be wise and do it safely rather than risk physical danger. Know who to call in any emergency. Of course, the best emergency call to make is to God in heaven by instant prayer for divine assistance and protection.

Our criminal problem is immense. And the fabric of values in society needs to change greatly. To illustrate, a Canada Supreme Court clerk wrote how he enjoyed sitting on appeal cases, because law clerks then have the chance to look at the legal issues in an objective way. "Whereas, when we become lawyers, our focus will be on how to win."

He explained further, "To win a case in court, one wag once noted: ëIf the law is on your side, pound on the law; if the facts are on your side, pound on the facts; if neither is on your side, pound on the table'" ("Clerking for the Supremes," Inside Airlines Magazine, May 2002).

We can conclude Ezekiel summed up life today quite well. The prophet Isaiah spoke similarly: "For your hands are defiled with blood...No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth...the act of violence is in their hands... So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey" (Isaiah 59:3-4, 6, 15).

Where then is hope for our future? It has to be in the returning Christ and His divine government, with the power to implement righteousness on earth. We'll see genuine transformation: "Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise" (Isaiah 60:18).

No more prisons. No more wasted manhood. No more fear for personal safety. WNP