Prison Ministry demands abolition of capital punishment

Christians working among the prisoners in India have urged the federal government to abolish capital punishment and restore human dignity in jails.

Nearly 300 members of the Prison Ministry of India (PMI) made this demand at the Catholic apostolate's ninth national conference, held in the ancient city of Mysore, Karnataka state, 2,200 kilometers south of New Delhi, according to UCAN News.

PMI which functions under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has more than 6,000 volunteers.

PMI chairperson, Bishop Peter Remigius of Kottar signed a memorandum addressed to the Indian government. It said inhuman conditions now prevail in India's penal system, which comprises 1,397 prisons.

While Britain has already abolished capital punishment, the Christians asserted, “The state cannot sanction murder by hanging, or otherwise justify this shocking violence."

Their statement further clarified that they do not oppose punishment for crimes. "Prisons are for punishment, but they are also places for reformation and a preparation for release."

The conference called for proper classification and treatment of prisoners and it even emphasized the importance of appointing educated people with bachelor's degrees in psychology, counseling and social work as staff workers in the prison.

Father Francis Kodiyan, PMI's co–founder, told UCA News his group's intention is not to interfere with government prison policies. "Our suggestions are for improving the system," he explained.

Church people visit jails, he said, to "share, care and comfort prisoners, their families and their victims in a true Christian spirit."