I was thinking about people in jail celebrating holidays so I did some reading.

I came up on different things, mostly from people who have been in prison for holidays. I see on Christmas they usually have a nice dinner, sometimes thanksgiving too, but that’s really it.

I understand that not a lot of people celebrate Christmas, so I know a Christmas tree might not be appropriate, but I feel like even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, a nice tree and some decorations could absolutely make people a little happier, even if they don’t celebrate it can maybe break up the sad dreary feeling of being in prison. My dad is Jewish and after him and my mom got divorced, he put up a Christmas tree because he liked it (plus they were married for so long he just became used to it I guess)

Menorahs, and other holiday decorations should be on display as well.

I would even go to a prison and decorate it myself (I love decorating and I love holidays)

I will admit, it makes me sad thinking about people in prison who don’t get the full holiday celebration experience. Unless you are a murderer, or a child predator or a truly evil person- but people who just fell on hard times and made mistakes I feel overwhelmingly sympathy for.

What do you think- holiday celebrations in prison, or is that crossing the line into forcing people to celebrate holidays they don’t believe in?

Some edits-

Becky- I absolutely agree, in the grand scheme of things, this is probably the last thing I should probably be thinking about regarding the prison system

Mel- wow. That is absolutely heart breaking. Reading that made my heart hurt. So sorry for your family.

Ashley- actually no, I have no friends or family in prison so I don’t know why this has always been something I think about around the holidays.

People did bring up good points why decorating isn’t a good idea. I didn’t think about weapons or fire hazards.