Only 10 minutes away, Regina Coeli is definitely in the Vatican s backyard. We want all society s enemies under lock and key far, far from our houses. America s rate of imprisonment is the highest on the planet. Two percent of America s children must visit prison to see Mom or Dad. The children feel guilty, stigmatized and abandoned.
Visits are often through a window no hugs included.
Within the document, the bishops point out that, although African-Americans are 12 percent of the U.S. population, they are 49 percent of its prisoners. Hispanic-Americans are nine percent of our population but 19 percent of prisoners. These numbers tell us something. The personal testimonies the bishops have included tell us more. Yes, they will continue to be our neighbors, by virtue of address and by virtue of the Gospel.