For the past 15 years I have been studying the work of Sister Helen Prejean, the social justice activist best known for her book “Dead Man Walking” and her fight against execution in the U.S. Because she has donated her papers to DePaul University, I have been able to read scores of communications in person.
All are fascinating. Some are to potentates — presidents and governors, popes and bishops. Others are to celebrities and influencers. But most are to and from persons she accompanied as they waited for the justice system to decide their future.
Seen in their original, each card and each letter shows not only the respect with which they were infused but the degree to which they were prized. Cards, letters, clippings saved by those behind bars bear signs of having been read repeatedly — words underlined, corners bent, paper worn thin from repeated touch.
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I write of this today because several Illinois legislators are suggesting that Illinois intervene between our incarcerated citizens and their loved ones. “Mail scanning,” the concept being proposed, would have the Department of Corrections hire a for-profit company to seize correspondence sent to a correctional center, scan it onto copy paper or digitize it onto a screen, then destroy the original.
Ironically, this draconian approach is intended to address a problem only tangentially related — an influx of contraband into prisons. Recent studies, being explained by other legislators, reveal that contraband is more often introduced by individuals who come and go, including staff, than by mail. Disrupting mail is not the solution.
Indeed, scanning would contravene one of IDOC’s most important roles: preparing persons to return to society. As James Swansey, policy manager at Restore Justice in Chicago, wrote of the supportive communication he received, “I would read and reread these letters from my grandmother, who passed away in the early years of my incarceration. She showed me nothing but support and encouragement in these letters, and I used them as motivation for years.”
The reflection affirms research that argues that those who experience humane care and retain connection with family throughout their incarceration are more likely to return home as caring citizens, not persons to be feared.
Susanne Dumbleton, Ph.D., professor emeritus, DePaul University; board member, Restore Justice
If you are outraged by Biden's pardoning of his son, just wait until it is President-elect Donald Trump's turn.
Melanie Wojtulewicz, West Lawn
To those wringing hands and gnashing teeth over the Hunter Biden pardon: Imagine for one minute what crimes Trump would excuse if any of his children were involved.
The younger Biden’s conviction and pending sentence were part of a clear political persecution and the elder did the right thing.
John Hankes, Streeterville
Despite stating that he would not interfere and pardon his son, President Joe Biden did.
Biden said the cases were a "miscarriage of justice." Biden is blaming politics for his son being charged. Forget the fact that his son pleaded guilty. Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies, one for buying a gun illegally.
Democrats are always blaming illegal guns as being the cause of violence, which they are. Hunter was convicted of buying a gun illegally and now he has been pardoned. How many similar cases will be up for review now that Biden has pardoned his son? He's pardoned because he is the president's son, not because he is innocent.
Any wonder why so many voted Republican in the last election? People are tired of the lies.
Janice Montgomery, Gage Park
Many pundits and pols proclaimed that "nobody is above the law" in reference to Trump's legal battles. Their mantra was underscored by President Biden's public pledges not to pardon Hunter Biden's crime convictions. Well, either the president lied, or Hunter is a "nobody" and above the law.
Mike Cook, Bourbonnais
I am repeatedly horrified by Benjamin Netanyahu and how he has abandoned the Jewish values I, and I'm sure he, grew up with. The recent car bombing is just his latest attack on the wonderful World Central Kitchen. Even if it is true that one person in the car took part in the horrendous Oct. 7 attacks, why not just arrest him? Why kill five people?
It seems to me that Netanyahu is once again killing members of this organization to make it impossible for them to get personnel to feed the civilians in Gaza he seems to be determined to starve to death. Why are we continuing to support and supply him when he has ignored our warnings and deadlines? Most Israelis do not support him, so why should we?
Joyce Porter, Oak Park
I heartily agree with letter writer Bob Chimis (“Enough with giant U.S. flags at NFL games”) that what he aptly calls “forced patriotism” devalues our genuine love of country. Whether it’s a military flyover or the unfurling of a ridiculously large flag at an NFL game, people should realize that it’s first and foremost a slick marketing move by professional sports teams and their owners to draw a direct connection between sports and patriotism.
Tom Conway, Forest Park
OK, MAGA. All the grocery prices will be very low. Gas prices will be like $2 a gallon. No more people in the country illegally. I can't wait. Or, is it all a hoax? We will see.
Jake Getter, Huntley
