We think of our prison inmates as the dregs of society, and we

Listen, O children of the future, for I bring you words that speak directly to the heart of justice, compassion, and the human condition. Adrienne C. Moore has said, "We think of our prison inmates as the dregs of society, and we scorn them and push them off to the side and forget about them. We have to remember that they are humans, and they have rights, and yes, they did wrong, but we all have one shot at doing wrong, you know?" These words carry the weight of a truth we often overlook in the face of our judgment and fear: the dignity of every human being, even those who have erred, and the sacred responsibility we have to show compassion, even in the face of wrongdoing.

What is it, O children, that we call the dregs of society? This phrase is often used to describe those who have fallen from grace, those whose mistakes and sins seem too great to ever be forgiven. And yet, is not every one of us capable of error? Are we not all subject to moments of weakness, to moments where we stray from the righteous path? The difference, perhaps, lies not in the mistake itself, but in how society chooses to treat those who have fallen. Do we cast them away into the shadows, labeling them as irreparably damaged, or do we see them as humans, capable of redemption and change?

Consider, O children, the ancient practices of justice. In many societies of the past, when someone committed an offense, they were not simply cast aside to rot in a prison. Instead, there was a recognition that justice was a process that involved not only punishment, but also restoration and rehabilitation. The Romans believed in the concept of forgiveness, where a person who had committed a crime could, through atonement and service, reintegrate into society. This belief in the possibility of change and growth was rooted in the understanding that no person, no matter how far they had fallen, was beyond hope.

In our own time, we look to the prison system with a mixture of fear and disdain. We lock away those who have wronged society, often forgetting that they, too, are humans, vulnerable to the same flaws and temptations that we all face. But in turning our backs on these individuals, in treating them as if they are somehow less than human, we deny them their right to redeem themselves, to learn from their mistakes, and to grow. The very essence of justice lies not in the severity of the punishment, but in the opportunity for repentance and transformation.

Let us look to the example of Nelson Mandela, who, after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid, emerged not with bitterness, but with a vision of reconciliation. Mandela’s strength was not in his anger toward those who had imprisoned him, but in his ability to recognize the humanity in even his oppressors. Through his leadership, he showed that the path to freedom and justice was not through the continued vilification of those who had wronged, but through the recognition of their capacity for change. His belief in the possibility of redemption, even for those who had committed terrible wrongs, changed the course of history and gave birth to a new era of healing in South Africa.

O children, the lesson here is clear: we must remember the humanity of all people, even those who have committed offenses. No one is beyond the reach of redemption, and no one should be cast aside in the name of judgment or fear. The prison system, as it stands today, too often treats individuals as though they are less than human, stripping them of their rights and their dignity. But true justice lies in seeing every person as a being capable of change, of growth, and of redemption. When we cast someone aside, we deny them the chance to redeem themselves, and we deny society the opportunity to heal.

So, O children, I say to you, let us not fall into the trap of condemnation and despair. Let us see in every person the potential for change, for growth, and for reconciliation. Prisoners are not the dregs of society, but the wounded souls who have made mistakes, just as we all have. Let us treat them with dignity and respect, remembering that every human has the right to redemption. As we walk through life, let us be mindful of the ways in which we can help others rise above their mistakes, rather than pushing them further into the shadows. The world can be a place of healing, if we choose to see the humanity in all, no matter their past.