Vatican Prisons In The 19th Century

As late as the 18th century, the Vatican Prison still served as a model prison design in Europe and America. Early settlers of North America brought with them the customs and common laws of England, including the pillory, the stocks and the whipping post. During the 18th century isolating offenders from fellow prisoners became the accepted correctional practice. It was thought that long-term isolation, combined with in-depth discussions with clergy, would lead inmates to repent or become “penitent”—sorry for their sins. Thus the term "penitentiary" was derived. West Jersey and Pennsylvania Quakers were primarily responsible for many of the prison reforms. They developed the idea of substituting imprisonment for corporal punishment and
The forced solitary confinement was thought to serve the same repenting purpose as the older penitentiary. Belief in education as a tool for reducing criminal activity also assisted in the growth of religion in prison. Because of the limited budgets of correctional institutions, chaplains were often called upon to be the sole educator in many American prisons. The "schooling" often consisted of the chaplain standing in a dark corridor with a lantern hanging from the cell bars while extolling the virtues of repentance. Volunteers also have a long history in corrections that can be traced back to the beginning of prisons. In the last 200 years, many religious groups have entered correctional facilities to provide religious services to inmates. One of the most famous advocates for volunteers in corrections was Maud Ballington Booth, the daughter-in-law of William Booth who founded the Salvation Army. Today, volunteers are vital to religious programs and without them inmate participation would surely be limited. Faith representatives would be unable to minister to the large number and variety of inmates.
In Exodus, we see God freeing His people from the physical chains of slavery in the land of Egypt, under the rule of Pharaoh. Throughout the Gospels, we see Christ, freeing all from the chains of sin. If we take a careful look we see how Christ went out of His way to minister to those who were sick not the healthy, the sinners to repentance. We also see our Lords compassion, His grace, and His love to all, esp. those who were willing to accept His Words, to those who were misfortunate Abused, and of course sinners.

A woman caught in the act of adultery. This woman had broken the law and should have been put to death by Being stoned. But instead, he showed mercy while the Pharisees were ready to stone her. Jesus said, "... he who is without sin, cast the first stone" within minutes, everyone dispersed. Jesus looked at her and said, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no. Jn. 8.8.9.