Prisoners In Multnomah County, Oregon Are Denied Spiritual Gifts From Churches At Christmas

Prisoners in Multnomah County, Oregon, which includes Portland and Gresham are actually denied spiritual gifts from Churches this Christmas. Tough regulations such as mail size restrictions actually ban churches from mailing Bibles, books, or other spiritual materials to prisoners of the large Inverness Jail. This has to be one of the only jails in America that restricts spiritual gufts to prisoners. Normally, both the right to an attorney and the right to spiritual counsel are not restricted by a jail system, as court cases have clearly defended the right of prisoners to both legal and spiritual counsel.

Prisoners are under such tight restrictions that they must make their own Christmas cards to send to outside family members. Many prisoners receive no visitors. But a few good prisoners will share "canteen items" such as snacks with other prisoners who have no visitors this Christmas or in exchange for Christmas card artwork. Some prisoners with very high skills in artwork or other talents are behind bars this year, many for alcohol or drug offenses.

Life is very tough for unloved prisoners with no vistors this time of year. These persons may have done some wrong, but churches or other forms of holiday cheer should be allowed to help these persons this year. And prisoners should have the constitutional right to receive Bibles or other spiritual help items. Persons in prison need your prayers and support. Society has a big stake in the redeemption and salvation of these persons who are in unlucky situations for a wide variety of reasons. Scripture also makes it clear the duty that persons on the outside have towards prisoners. Just because someone has sinned is no grounds for others to deny love or compassion towards those trapped behind bars this Christmas.