Prison; Imprisonment

Under America’s criminal justice system, we have incarcerated more than two million of our fellow citizens in federal, state and county facilities. In contrast, the concept of prison does not appear anywhere in Judaism...

We make mistakes. And we pay for them, sometimes quite dearly. Does this mean that we should accept that we have, in effect, "lost" a portion of our life? What about someone serving a life sentence in prison?

In addition to the advantages for rehabilitation, reduction of recidivism and the like, this talk takes up this issue from a retributive perspective. If prison is intended to serve a retributive purpose should the "punishment" be softened through visits o...

A veteran chaplain to Jews behind bars shares his experiences, inspiration and advice culled from decades of working with people on the margins of society.

Jewish educator, Rabbi Shmuly Rothman, speaks with prison chaplains about how to maintain self-control in all situations and not be manipulated by others.

How communities can determine the priority of helping incarcerated Jews. Keynote speech at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of Jewish Prison Chaplains.

Schapiro described many inmates who grew up in secular homes, or didn't know they were Jewish until late in life. Their first contact with Judaism came when they were locked up, and they longed to know more about their religion...

He was falling into an abyss with nothing to hold on to, nothing to anchor him. One day, which seemed like every other day of listlessness and sadness, Steven was told he had a visitor

Retribution is very un-Jewish. For retribution leaves wounds in its wake. Rehabilitation is very Jewish. For rehabilitation cures and gives new life. This elemental idea is beautifully captured in a biblical passage discussing the treatment of gossipers.