Any faith will do: I think this program ("Jesus in the Jailhouse," by Jesse Hyde, April 26) is successful for three reasons:
1. They have chosen inmates who are less likely to come back.
2. They have a strong follow-up program that ensures the inmates are guided and employed. The involvement in a church helps keep the inmates from falling in with the same crowd they used to be involved with.
3. They have changed the very nature of the prison. Most U.S. prisons have an atmosphere that discourages behaviors that lead to rehabilitation. They have seen to it that these behaviors are encouraged.
I would like to hear more on the similar non-denominational programs. It would be truly interesting to see how they work. In my opinion, it is not what your faith is that is important. It is the fact that you do have a spiritual path that you truly try to follow.
Tim Covington
Religious thinking errors: After quickly reading this article, I failed to notice any mention of the leading expert on antisocial personality disorder, Stanton E. Samenow, Ph.D. This esteemed psychologist was involved in a longitudinal study which focused on traditional psychotherapeutic intervention with the population in question. Bottom line: None of these traditional approaches worked. Hence, the proposed treatment of choice was focusing on "criminal thinking errors." One of these thinking errors was that of religion. You can compare this to the Mafia going to communion after making a hit. I have been working in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system for 20 years as a mental health professional. I strongly suggest that you go and purchase a copy of the following book: Inside the Criminal Mind, Revised Edition, by Dr. Stanton E. Samenow.
David
Every life is worth saving: This is an awesome prison ministry program. Every life is worth saving in the eyes of God. Hopefully the government will not put an end to such programs, because not only do these men benefit but also all of society. Good luck to all of you who leave these prisons and start a new life. May God be your strength. And to the U.S. government, keep your nose out of it. The program is working.
Pam Pelletier
You're out: Three-time loser? I'm pretty sure Texas politicians tout us as a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" state. Your opening character along with that guy that shot the DPD officer a few weeks ago make me wonder what has happened to Texas' three-strikes law.
Paul
Love God and live: I believe all of these people who are incarcerated need to be made aware of the love of God that awaits them if they just accept it into their lives. It will change them for the better. Our Lady of America messages can be a specific guide for these programs. They are available at www.oltiv.org for free.
Olivia
We're watching: I will watch this story with much interest concerning how the faiths of Roman Catholics are treated.
Ignacio
Christian delusions: It is pretty obvious that people in prison are not among the most intelligent examples of mankind. If believing in an invisible creature that will take care of them after they die brings them comfort and helps them live an honest life, where is the harm? Oh, I know. It's a government-sponsored lie.
Johnny Ellis
No Tears for Quincy
More pot, less booze: Despite Quincy Carter's poor judgment ("Amazing Disgrace," by Richie Whitt, April 12), the real crime here is that marijuana is still illegal. Why Cowboys players can get shitfaced on booze and be banned from using a less harmful substance is something I'll never understand. Discrimination against pot users is one of the worst civil rights violations of our time.
"Curious George"
Apologies due: Wow, dude. You have absolutely no right to put down my hometown the way you did. Just because Quincy Carter is a low-life, classless human being doesn't give you the right to call Shreveport a shithole. The CenturyTel Center is a wonderful arena. Has Quincy Carter screwed himself? Yes. But I really think you owe the people of Shreveport an apology. What a classless article. Oh yeah, hey buddy—your mom called...she said you suck!
Nick S.
Get over yourself: Believe me—I'm sorry he's here also. As for him and the BattleWings, I could care less. Too bad he wasn't a hockey player. He could have played for our Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. No. I take that back. Our hockey coach likes players with lots of character. And it seems as if Carter has none. I sure don't go watch him play. And with only about 3,000 people there, you know where the rest of the folks are. They are at the Mudbugs games.
He needs to quit crying about how Dallas did him. Because I've been there and they aren't the ones that told him to get on drugs. He made that choice. Now he can deal with it, just like all the rest of us. I say to him, "Get over yourself."
Janet Carney
Hicksville: Thank you for making our wonderful community sound like Hicksville and our $40 million arena appear to be along the lines of a sand lot. Have you ever been here, or do you just like to create your sensationalism through your ignorance? Shoney's? Get a grip. If you are representative of the big-city mentality then please stay there and leave us alone. Maybe we need to sic the gators on ya.
Philip McMillian
