It was still a bit unusual that a representative from the American Conservative Union, the nation’s most well-known conservative advocacy group, and an elected Democratic state senator used the Bible to present their points during a hearing on a proposed bill to lower Mississippi’s incarceration rate. It was even more remarkable that they were on the exact same side of this argument. Progressives have long advocated for reforming the criminal justice system in order to lower incarceration rates. In recent years, many conservatives have taken to heart the issue. David Safavian, the American Conservative Union’s general counsel, traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, in the midst the COVID-19 pandemic, to support criminal justice legislation that Gov. Tate Reeves. Safavian is the head of the Conservative Political Action Conference. This conference hosts all the nation’s top conservative politicians. Reeves was actively supported last year by the organization. Safavian said that he was in church and heard his pastor refer to Matthew. He was then asked: “How many times must you forgive my brother?” Seven times? Jesus replied, “No, 77.” Safavian stated that he was in church when he heard his pastor cite Matthew. He asked Jesus, “How many times must I forgive my brother?” But that is exactly the Mississippi habitual offender law. Many prosecutors and law enforcement are opposed to the legislation. Many argued that the legislation would have allowed those convicted of life sentences without parole or sex offenders to apply for parole early, and thus Reeves vetoed it. During the hearing, both sides came to an agreement that the bill wouldn’t do that. District Attorney Hal Kittrell, Columbia, said that the bill makes those convicted for first and second degrees murder, armed burglary, and armed carjacking eligible for parole once they have served 50% of their sentences. Kittrell said that victims were informed at sentencing that parole would not be granted to those convicted of these felonies. Juan Barnett (D-Heidelberg), the Chair of the State Senate Corrections, asked Kittrell whether he was familiar both with the Book of Acts and the Apostle Paul. Kittrell replied that he was. Barnett asked Barnett if Christ would forgive Paul, a prosecutor of many Christians prior to his conversion. If so, why wouldn’t Mississippi give some leniency to inmates no longer considered a threat to society by the Parole Board. Kittrell and other witnesses at the hearing countered that ex-inmates were getting into trouble again after being released and asked why they should not be released earlier. Barnett argued that not all ex-inmates were in trouble and that they could, given the chance, be productive members of society. Kittrell noted that $40 million was saved by the state through 2014 legislation, which reduced sentences and made it easier to parole non-violent offenders. He pointed out that those savings were supposed to be reinvested in the Department of Corrections to fund rehabilitation programs. He stated that this is not the case. Barnett stated that he is not sure whether he will attempt to override Reeves veto if, as expected in October, the Legislature reconvenes. Many concede that it would be difficult for the two-thirds majority required to override Reeves’ veto. Barnett, Nick Bain (Republican), and Kevin Horan (Republican), convened the joint meeting last week. They warned that if the prison system is not changed, the state could be facing major financial consequences. U.S. Justice Department is currently investigating the prison system. Numerous lawsuits have been filed following violence and riots that occurred in the system in December and January. Since December, there have been over 50 deaths within the prison system. They also mentioned Alabama’s need to spend over $1 billion to resolve issues related to similar lawsuits, and Justice Department investigations. These costs could be the intersection of biblical and fiscal issues and could lead to more support for legislation that eases sentencing guidelines.