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Zero Tolerance for Repeat Offenders

Issue

   Despite punitive measures used by the Justice Department, repeat offenders typically return to a life of crime which places society at risk.
Solution

   The community needs to be better protected by ensuring that the repeat offender doesn't return to a life of crime. The Bible may provide some guidance on the subject with the following:

                                 For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you
                                 impure spirit!"

                                 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name
                                 is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

                                 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them
                                 out of the area.

                                 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.
                                 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs;
                                 allow us to go into them." He gave them permission,
                                 and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs.
                                 The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down
                                 the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
                                                                                                 Mark 5:8-13

   The importance of this passage is that the demons wanted to remain on earth in order to continue their evil ways. Jesus responded by commanding the demons to go into the swine, which were then subsequently killed (this was intentional).

   The key significance of this passage compared to the other demonic possession examples is that since the demons refused to change their evil ways (and wanted to continue to do harm), they were subsequently executed because of their unrepentant behavior.
Repeat Offenders

   The above example may indicate that capital punishment should be enforced upon repeat offenders. Repeat offenders are those who are unrepentant for their crimes, similar to the demons that refused to change their ways that wanted to continue in similar manner.

   Some may contend that rather than exercise capital punishment, it is better to “turn the other cheek” and allow repeat offenders another chance to reform their ways. However, there is a difference between permitting a person another chance to reform and allowing unrepentant evil to run rampant placing others at risk.

   The above passage provides the means of discerning between the two with the key point being the refusal to change one’s ways as the deciding factor. A repeat offender is one who indicates a refusal to change one's ways and is deserving of capital punishment.
Innocent Criminals

   Further examination shows an interesting point that may not be obvious to the casual observer. What was the significance of Jesus casting the demons into the herd of pigs instead of just exorcising them?

   A possible reason for this is that the swine in this passage represents a sense of innocence since animals are considered to be without sin. The significance of this is that it provides the basis that even “innocent” criminals should be executed for repeated crimes.

   Innocent criminals are those who may not be entirely in control of themselves when they commit an act of crime (e.g., mentally retarded or insane).

   Some may say that following such a policy would be cruel to the mentally impaired, but the importance of upholding the law in this manner is that it protects the community from harm. Even from the so-called innocent criminals who may end up victimizing others unknowingly due to their mental condition.
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