Our Parole Board Must Not Only Do Justice, But Also Love Mercy

In the wake of Vincent Martin's release from prison last year, the Virginia Parole Board has been roundly criticized for being too lenient and for not properly notifying the victim's family. Martin was granted his freedom after having served 40 years of his sentence for the tragic slaying of a police officer

The Board has stood by its decision, based on its claim of having done repeated and through reviews of his case and based on his stellar record of behavior as a prisoner. He had an exceptionally positive influence on his fellow prisoners and was even called on to help bring about a successful resolution in a volatile prison uprising while incarcerated.

Others have criticized the Parole Board for denying releases of too many prisoners among those still eligible for consideration due to their having been incarcerated before parole was abolished in 1995. 

But a significant number of these men and women have proven themselves thoroughly corrected and rehabilitated after decades behind bars. They have gained the trust and respect of prison officials and fellow prisoners, have taken every remedial class available, and have proven to be a model citizens in the most challenging circumstances imaginable. Yet they have been denied parole release year after year based solely on the seriousness of their past offenses.

Many of these men and women are now also eligible for geriatric release, but are routinely denied on those grounds as well, in spite of many of them being infirm, in need of intensive (and expensive) healthcare, and even being blind or in wheel chairs.

I understand the deep feelings of people on both sides. For family members of victims, no amount of punishment could ever come close to compensating for the trauma and grief they have endured. On the other hand, many family members simply long to have their repentant loved ones offered what they see as a hard earned second chance. 

People of faith, private citizens and public officials alike, are mandated to both 'do justice' and to 'love mercy', along with 'walking humbly with God', which means subjecting themselves to God's will and word. 

In one of Jesus's familiar parables, an elder son is outraged by his father's celebration of a younger son's repentance and his return home after having wasted his father's inheritance and living a life of wanton lawlessness. Though worthy of being stoned to death for his disrespect and disobedience, the father, representing God, runs toward him, embraces him as one who has "come to himself," and warmly welcomes him home.

What are we to take from this story? Dare we show only disdain for wrongdoers, even thoroughly repentant ones, unmindful of our own need for grace? Or will we become ever more like the compassionate father, who not only forgives his repentant son, but puts the family ring on his finger, restores him to his place in the family, and celebrates his transformation?

This doesn't rule out tough love in cases of wrongdoing. It doesn't mean being soft on crime. It doesn't mean not expecting restitution and reparation to be made to whatever extent possible. But it surely means showing mercy to all who demonstrate contrition and a genuine change of life. 

That's not just a suggestion. It's a divine requirement.