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Early next week the House of Representative will be considering the Prison Reform and Redemption Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R–Ga.) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D–N.Y.), directs the Department of Justice to develop a risk assessment tool, use it to determine each prisoner’s risk of recidivism, and then provide reduction programs and productive activities to reduce that risk. No Images? Click here The Weekly is a rundown of news by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission highlighting the week’s top news stories from the public square and providing commentary on the big issues of our day. ERLC and Prison Fellowship Support Prison Reform and Redemption BillEarly next week the House of Representative will be considering the Prison Reform and Redemption Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R–Ga.) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D–N.Y.), directs the Department of Justice to develop a risk assessment tool, use it to determine each prisoner’s risk of recidivism, and then provide reduction programs and productive activities to reduce that risk. The “recidivism reduction programs” would include either group or individual activities that have shown, based on research or empirical evidence, to likely be effective in reducing recidivism (i.e., the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend). The programs would be designed to help prisoners succeed in their communities upon release from prison, and include such activities as classes on morals or ethics, vocational training, faith-based classes or services, or restorative justice programs. ERLC, Prison Fellowship, and several other organizations are sending a joint letter to lawmakers encouraging them to “move this legislation forward through the House as soon as possible.” “Each year about 40,000 federal prisoners are released, but about half will be arrested again within three years,” notes the letter. “The revolving door of criminal justice is devastating to families and depresses economic activity in many communities. We owe it to the communities most affected by crime and incarceration to ensure that federal prisoners have the greatest possibility for rehabilitation while in prison and success upon release.” ERLC and Prison Fellowship believe federal prisons should provide opportunities for men and women behind bars to make amends and earn back the public’s trust. The regular use of risk assessment, individualized prison program plans, and opportunities for earlier release to community corrections promoted by this bill but will be a significant step in transforming the federal prison system. Passing this legislation will allow men and women in our federal prisons to return home sooner and better prepared to give back to their families and communities at their highest potential. If you are interested in supporting this issue, contact your elected officials and encourage them to support this bill. To learn more about the importance of justice reform, see the invaluable resources provided by Prison Fellowship. ERLC is thankful for the continued work of Prison Fellowship in helping to restore all those impacted by crime and incarceration and for their efforts in support of the Prison Reform and Redemption Act of 2017. This week on ERLC podcasts: Daniel Darling talks to Sam Allberry about engaging a secular culture. On the Capitol Conversations podcast, Matthew Hawkins talks to Herbie Newell, president of Lifeline Children’s Services, about opportunities and challenges facing adoption communities and how local churches can assist. On the Countermoves podcast, Andrew Walker talks to Tim Goeglein about the ten years since the death of William F. Buckley. And on the ERLC podcast, H.B. Charles Jr. shows how the gospel shapes racial reconciliation. Other IssuesAmerican CultureBackpage CEO Carl Ferrer pleads guilty to conspiracy, money laundering Carl Ferrer, 57, pleaded guilty to facilitating prostitution. Is marijuana legalization really linked to an increase in fatal car crashes? April 20, 4:20 in stoner folklore, is a day of celebration—as well as a 12 percent increase in fatal car crashes. Neb., Tenn. defund Planned Parenthood Nebraska and Tennessee this month joined more than a dozen states that have cut funding for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, a pro-life campaign that has seen mixed results. Facebook enlists conservative help to resist privacy rules Facebook asked conservative groups for help last week in heading off European-style privacy rules, just as CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepared to apologize to Congress for his company's data scandal. The company's outreach comes as the European Union is preparing to enforce strict new privacy rules that take effect in late May. BioethicsThe Future of the Pro-Life Movement Is in Africa If demography is destiny, then the destiny of humanity is black. Over the next century, the flaccid geriatric cohorts of the West and exhausted Asian tigers will be no match for Africa’s burgeoning, youthful, and increasingly sophisticated population. Africa is the fastest-growing region in the world, and the only one where population is expected to more than double over the next few decades. Abortion foes seize on chance to overturn Roe The anti-abortion movement believes it's one Donald Trump-appointed Supreme Court justice away from a shot at overturning Roe v. Wade , and advocates are teeing up what they hope will be the winning challenge. Christianity and CultureNat'l Day of Prayer: Unity in nation, among churches Unity across the nation and among churches spanning all denominations, generations, races and cultures is the overarching plea of the 2018 National Day of Prayer, scheduled for May 3. Supreme Court rejects anti-abortion pastor's appeal on noise The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a pastor who challenged a state law's noise limit that was used to restrict his anti-abortion protest outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Portland, Maine. Personal touch drives churchgoer giving, study shows When it comes to charity, a personal touch works 10 times better than Facebook -- at least for churchgoers. A new report from LifeWay Research found more than half of Protestant churchgoers say a personal connection inspired them to give money to a charity for the first time. Family IssuesChildren falling short in school? Blame parental break-ups When family life fails, so too do students. Health IssuesOver 95% of the world is breathing dangerous air, but the poorest are suffering the most A study on global air pollution found a majority of the world breathes unsafe air, and the poorest communities, particularly in developing countries such as China and India, are hardest hit. International IssuesSyrian Christians Face a Grim Dilemma Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator responsible his nation’s unraveling and the destruction of such an ancient and religiously diverse land, is central to the most tragic tale of the modern Middle East. Boko Haram has abducted over 1,000 children, killed more than 2,000 teachers Boko Haram has abducted more than 1,000 children in northeast Nigeria since 2013, according to the United Nations' children's agency. USCIRF Issues New Report On Religious Freedom Challenges In Burma The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recently issued an update on religious freedom challenges in Burma. ( Full text of report ). The report, which particularly focuses on the conditions faced by Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, also more broadly summarizes the situation in the country. Marriage IssuesWhat’s Wrong With the “Success Sequence” The "success sequence" narrative, when deployed as advice to people in poverty, takes a misguided approach to a misidentified problem. The message of the “success sequence,” as recently explored by W. Bradford Wilcox and Wendy Wang in their report on Millennials’ family lives and economic status, is that your chances of economic stability are much higher if you finish high school and get married before having children. Religious LibertyNew Jersey Supreme Court Says Grants To Churches Violate State Constitution In Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders , (NJ Sup.Ct., April 18, 2018), the New Jersey Supreme Court held that historic preservation grants to 12 churches (totaling $4.6 million) violate the Religious Aid Clause of the New Jersey Constitution. Army chaplain fights charge of unlawful discrimination Southern Baptist chaplain Jerry Scott Squires is fighting a U.S. Army investigator's charge of unlawful discrimination for refusing to preside over a marriage retreat including same-sex couples. 6th Circuit: Ohio's Cutoff of Non-Abortion Funding To Planned Parenthood Is Unconstitutional In Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Inc. v. Himes , (6th Cir., April 18, 2018), the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals held unconstitutional a 2016 Ohio law aimed at Planned Parenthood. ORC §3701.34 prohibits the Ohio Department of Health from channeling funds it receives through six non-abortion-related federal health programs to any entity that performs or promotes nontherapeutic abortions. Sexuality IssuesPromiscuous America: Smart, Secular, and Somewhat Less Happy We like to think of America as sexually permissive. We’re bombarded with stories of rapid-fire Tinder liaisons and meaningless college hookups. The reality isn’t monastic but is more staid than most of us think. The median American woman has had three sex partners in her lifetime. The median man has had five. of the Southern Baptist Convention 901 Commerce Street, Suite 550 Nashville, TN 37203 You are receiving The Weekly because you signed up at ERLC.com or at one our events. Like Tweet Forward Preferences | Unsubscribe |
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