Tookie Williams: No Redemption?
By Rev. Michael Piazza

The state of California killed Stanley Tookie Williams today. It was an act of state-sanctioned revenge. Perhaps no execution in recent years has more conclusively proven that retribution, not restoration, is the purpose of the U.S. justice system. Once upon a time, in a land of distant memory, people dreamed of the possibility that a criminal might pay for his crime and be transformed into a productive citizen. Mr. William’s execution proved that this is no longer our desire, let alone our intent.

By now, we all know his story. A former gang leader, Tookie Williams spent the last several years of his life writing, speaking and working to persuade other young people to take a course different from the one he chose. He produced a considerable stockpile of evidence that he was a changed man who wanted to make restitution for his crimes. Still, the government killed him today, ensuring that he would make no further contribution to society.

Yes, Tookie Williams was a criminal convicted of murder. Although there was some question about the police techniques used to obtain that conviction, and even if you believe that he is guilty, this state-sponsored killing says more about us than it does about him. It speaks to the state of our soul as a nation.

Jesus once told a parable which is recorded in the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. It is a parable about the “day of judgment.” In it, Jesus makes clear that one factor on which we will be evaluated is our treatment of those who are in prison, concluding that, “Whatever you do to the least, you do to me.” Well, if we take Jesus’ words at all seriously then the United States is in grave peril.

Although we constitute only 5% of the world’s population we have more than 22% of the world’s prisoners. We have a higher percentage of our citizens in prison than any other nation on earth—higher than Russia, higher than China, higher than Cuba. A larger percentage of blacks are in prison in America than were ever imprisoned during the apartheid of South Africa.

Prison conditions in the United States are worse than in any western democracy. No attempt is made at restoration or rehabilitation, and, as a result, the rate of recidivism is unsurprisingly high. When you consider that a significant number of those in prison were guilty of self-destructive drug abuse crimes you realize that our justice system is actually designed to create criminals rather than redeem them.

Ironic, isn’t it, that the vindictiveness of our criminal justice system is driven largely by a faith system centered around redemption? Yet we continue to warehouse and execute people as if we had no hope that transformation is possible. Killing Tookie Williams is a clear statement that we either don’t believe he was redeemed or we simply don’t care. We just wanted him dead.

One last confession. I am overwhelmed with frustration. For years I have tried to call us to care about the rate of execution in Texas and the inhumane treatment of those in prison. So far it feels as though I have failed to make a single convert. Please tell me what I need to do to get someone, anyone, to care. No, this may not be a topic that affects you personally, but that may be the very reason why people of compassion and faith should care.

Hope for Peace & Justice Online Action Center GIVE TO HOPE FOR PEACE & JUSTICE Donate Now to support us as we seek to create a culture of peace, inclusiveness, compassion. CONTACT US Click here to contact H4PJ on a variety of subjects. PRIVACY NOTICE Read our privacy policy.