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I would just like to add my appreciation of Jo’s behavior to the list. And yes, Potter, many criminals feel no remorse and their time in prison is beneficial only because it removes them from society. However, many criminals do not want to live the way they have lived – they just don’t know how to live any other way. By offering programs such as these, we can help them to lead more productive lives that keep them from returning to prison. As another has stated, if we can help even one inmate per prison per year, that is one less criminal and many more happy lives (just think of how many people WON’T be hurt by them in the future).

I think she is an amazing person and an inspiration to others!!!

Once again she shows the world why so many people adore her. Jo, you’re a gift.

I hadn’t heard of such a program before I read this. I’m glad they’re trying to instill some positivity into the inmates’ lives. And I really admire Jo-despite the lawsuit with the Lexicon she still manages to conduct herself with grace.

Programmes like these, can massively help an un-educated prisioner. They struggled in school when they were younger, and with no one willing to help get to the route cause of the problem, it eventually send’s some (not all) into a life of crime, because it’s something that is easy. You just have to ask, what if these people had that little extra attention spent on them at school, whould they have become criminals? It’s certainly something to think about. I’m by no means a liberal when it comes to an issue like crime. But I’m not naive enough to believe that people are born as criminals.

I am increasingly impressed, if not downright stunned, at the graciousness that seems to know no limit from this woman. The humility and care she shows in treating prisoners in this manner – with respect and the hope for a second chance -exemplifies the themes she espouses in the series. All of us should make an effort to emulate her. All of her social work is worthy of praise and definitely a model for the rest of society.

My dad works at Edinburgh Prison (he’s the chaplain there), and he got to meet Jo on her tour of the premises. She stayed and chatted to him for a good ten minutes, and talked about faith and how prisoners are able to practice theirs. I found this interesting considering some of the interviews she has given concerning her own faith. The actual event happened a few weeks ago – I was going to e-mail you the story, but I didn’t think you’d be interested.

There is a pretty fundamental misunderstanding about the definition of charity in this case. A charity in this sense does not mean that those inmates are getting money or anything like that for being a part of this program. Common sense (and moreover, their website) tells us that only ONE person it paid for this, at all. Another thing that shoes that “charity” in your (plural) interpretation is misguided is because the program is staffed through “peer to peer mentoring”... for it to be titled a mentoring program, it must be FREE and on a VOLUNTEER basis. The title “charity” is almost definitely applied because it pays for the RESOURCES (a.k.a. books, tests etc) which otherwise would be unavailable for these participants. Considering a large portion of criminal populations are illiterate, it is OBVIOUSLY a smart move to focus on literacy and learning programs in prisons. In fact, prison education systems are one of the only truly successful plans for reform, statistically speaking. I’m so pleased that Jo took the time to do this, once again proving that she doesn’t think she is too good to help anyone. :)

Jo never cieases to amaze me…. it seems all that she does is work for charity and think of others before herself. She is truly an amazing role model for everyone to follow. I understand how some people feel about the situation. It does not seem right to some people to help those who have hurt families and scared the public. But in the Harry Potter novels and movies you see and read about characters that help

Yes there is light and dark in all of us, but it also depends on which part we act on.

I am also on the fence about this, but given the opportunity, i probobily (sp) would help them. I’d feel guilty if i didn’t.

But as always Jo Rox!

Live, Love, Harry Potter!!

I work with at-risk youth and I am often around the prison system. It is a very mucked-up system, which often feeds negative behaviors and increases crime.

Yet those who I know who have made change, have done so through two things: education and faith. Reading is essential to both.

Learning to read is not a reward for criminals: it is a glimmer of hope. What chance does anyone have to increase their station in life, without the ability to read?

Where can one escape the depression and humiliation of being a prisoner, without books?

JK, as always, is tapped into some fundamental principals of social justice: that all people have the right to reconcile their past, pursue happiness, and be educated. Don’t forget, she used to work for Amnesty International! (Bless her!)

To the nay-sayers: please examine the condition of your heart, and your levels of compassion, forgiveness, and true justice (not vengence), before you condemn others.

I guess it depends on the crime committed by the people that are in prison.

If they are rapists and murderers, I disagree with this. If they are petty theives and what not that earnestly want to change, I’m all for it.

Hurting people hurt people. If all you have ever known is rage and pain and hurt, then usually that is all you have to offer the world.

Once upon a time, I thought everyone is prison deserved to be there. That they had received the punishment that they deserved. Now, I realize that everything is not so black and white – that there are numerous shades of gray.

Every time an individual is treated without the basic human dignity required for a healthy mental outlook we all fall further from the mark. It’s a reoccurring cycle that will only continue to spiral out of control, unless someone (I – you – we) is(are) willing to stop the cycle of hatred and bigotry.

It has to start somewhere…

Professor Potter: “What I feel most uneasy about is the fact that some criminals have no consience and regret about what they have done. Yet we help them. I have been mugged and beaten by a gang on a bus. I would find it very very very difficult to try and help them. Much less the murderers. I dont want to hate them but I cant help it. I just cant. I hate to see Jo helping them although deep down I know its the righteous thing to do (very Christian) to help reform criminals. I cant help felling that they do not deserve it.”

I too have been mugged before. And I have already forgiven the perpetrators. I forgave them the very next day. Yeah, it was a frighetening experience. I’m still very disappointed at what they did. But you know, they’re still people, with the potential to change. It’s easy to write off criminals and say they can never be rehabilitated, but all people can change no matter what they’ve done and it is up to us to be willing to forgive.

I’m not saying we should let rapists and murderers out of prison tomorrow. But we should allow them to earn back our trust over time if they really have changed their ways. If society goes on hating criminals, they will go on hating society and nothing will ever change. Certainly we should hate the crime, and condemn it. But we should not hate the person.

I applaud Jo for doing something we should all be doing a bit more of, and that is showing charity to criminals, letting them know that some part of society wants them to turn their lives around and has not forgotten them.

I don’t believe in an unpardonable crime (or “sin”). Every person has the potential to change their behaviour, and every criminal deserves our forgiveness. Incidentally, I am 100% opposed to the death penalty, anywhere and for any reason.

Anyway, that’s just my two cents.

Let’s look at this from a ‘Harry Potter’ point of view: “We are not all divided into good people and death eaters” There are always going to be ‘Voldemorts’ and ‘Snapes’...one has absolutely no conscience or remorse, The other has done wrong, and seeks some kind of “redemption”. I agree that, given the circumstances, if they don’t know how to read they will always have difficulty on the “outside”. Back to the “original topic”, Ms Rowling is actually using the points, the books make, to help others….no matter how you look at it, if JKR has taught us anything, it’s that everyone [even the Voldemorts of this world] deserves a chance. JMHO

I have pity and compassion for you, Professor Potter. Forgiveness is the gift you give yourself. Don’t turn into Professor Snape, and don’t ever question or denigrate others for showing the grace you lack.

Luna Longbottom is exactly right!

Compassion is one of the greatest gifts we have to give as human beings. I’m glad that Jo and the majority of posters here see that, too. :)

Compassion is one of the greatest gifts we have to give as human beings. I’m glad that Jo and the majority of posters here see that as well. :)

I never thought this would cause so much of a stir among potter fans! Here’s my take on this: This makes me think alot about ‘Freedom Writers’. If you don’t know what I’m talking about here’s the short version. In the 90’s, a first-time teacher Erin Gruwell had a class full of kids who didn’t care about school and some were in a gang ect. She gave them books like Anne Frank to read, and they opened up to her and changed their lives around. For more on this story go to: www.freedomwritersfoundation.org Anyway I agree with the quote from Mountain Violet: “However, if even one illiterate inmate learned how to read, read books in prison that touched his or her heart, and made the determination to turn his or her life around, well…I think it would be worth it.” I think this is true. Unfortuatly, we can only pray and hope that these people change their lives. But’s it’s wonderful to see JK Rowling doing this!! I only hope her efforts in the end help a bit.