Forgiveness

An essential part of the year of jubilee is forgiveness of spiritual debts. Mass incarceration is a moral stain on our nation–the United States incarcerates two million people every day. Recent polls find more than 70% support for reducing our prison population, and the jubilee can accomplish that.

In his first term, Donald Trump held a Prison Summit, celebrating passage of the First Step Act with people who had been freed by it. Eventually, 30,000 incarcerated people would get an early release as a result of the bill, which was intended to be followed by a Second Step.

Donald Trump congratulating Matthew Charles, released from a 35-year sentence for selling crack in 1996.

The jubilee year is an opportunity to take not just a second step, but great strides forward in addressing cumulative errors in our judicial system. Many incarcerated Americans can be prepared for release and family reunification, and with the establishment of UBI, will have a better foundation for success. At the end of the year, most prisoners could be released, forgiven through the atonement of the jubilee.