THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 6, 1995 TAG: 9501060014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I read with dismay an article in the (Raleigh) News and Observer concerning the Norfolk sheriff's refusal to accept small gift packages donated by the Salvation Army to the Norfolk jail's 1,400 inmates. Even more shocking was the chaplain quoted as saying, ``The inmates were in jail for doing wrong, and they didn't need any Christmas gifts.''
Having served as a volunteer chaplain to the Norfolk jail in the '70s, I know that many of the residents have not even been to court and therefore may be innocent. They are often there because they are too poor to be able to afford the bail bondsman's fee.
Even those who have been convicted of a crime are there as punishment, not for punishment. They have lost their freedom of movement as well as the freedom to make decisions regarding work, when and what to eat, whom they can see, etc. They are not there so they may be punished further according to the whim of a sheriff or a chaplain who seems to have forgotten the meaning of the word compassion.
Fifty years ago, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran theologian, was imprisoned for his opposition to the godless Nazi regime. Although he was hanged for his beliefs on April 9, 1945, while in prison he was permitted Christmas gifts!
Adolph Hitler, who was as wicked a ruler as ever walked the face of the Earth, saw nothing wrong with prisoners receving gifts at Christmas.
I would hope the sheriff and chaplain at the Norfolk jail would have at least as much compassion at Christmas!
JOHN WEINBACH
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Dec. 27, 1994 by CNB