Price of men's freedom paid in full

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Thu, Dec. 25, 2003

Price of men's freedom paid in full
An international charity based in Deerfield Beach obtains freedom for the poor in Jamaica by paying small fines for minor crimes that kept them behind bars.
By ALEJANDRO LANDES
[e-mail]

At St. Catherine's Prison in Jamaica, 11 prisoners were summoned unexpectedly to the chapel.

''Do you know why you are here?'' Sandra Ramsey, a volunteer with the Deerfield Beach-based Food for the Poor charity, recalled asking the men one day last week.

The prisoners looked at Ramsey in bewilderment. After a few moments of silence, one young man responded, timidly, ``I stole some food at a grocery store.''

Ramsey, who had paid about $2,000 in fines, boasted a broad smile. ``No, you're here because you're going home for Christmas.''
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/7567843.htm

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. this is really wonderful

and shows compassion in action.

[pinto]

2. thanks for the post, JudiLyn, the story has a nice parable feel.

Very simple and very human.

Merry Christmas.

[Mairead]

3. Thanks for spotting this, JudiLyn!

Here's the kind of thing Dennis Kucinich is talking about:

When other inmates heard of the release, one man burst into the chapel and asked for his $25 fine to be paid. The warden then verified the amount the inmate owed, and the three Food for the Poor volunteers rummaged through their pockets to come up with the money.

In the end, they were short $2, so a prison guard dipped into his own pocket and provided the rest, Ramsey said.

Imagine: a guard used his own money to help free a prisoner!

When we treat others as family, we create solidarity and it spreads like mad. And we become unstoppable!

All we need is a glimmer of belief in a better world, just enough to make a start.

[November 2004]

4. Thank you!

gave me goosebumps and it's the way it should be all year 'round

[demdave]

5. Great work for the poor, here is their website

http://www.foodforthepoor.org/index.html