Deputy Welfare Minister MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz said his
ministry objects to the transfer of the Prisoner
Rehabilitation Authority from the Welfare Ministry to the
Internal Security Ministry.
The move was based on a decision by the Ministerial Committee
for the Battle Against Violence.
Rabbi Ravitz sent a letter to the Prime Minister's Office
stating the reasons for his ministry's opposition. Internal
Security Minister Gidon Ezra also sought Rabbi Ravitz'
approval saying the Prison Guards Authority, which is in his
ministry, is very familiar with the prisoners and therefore
his ministry should take care of their rehabilitation.
In his letter to Government Secretary Yisrael Maimon, Rabbi
Ravitz writes that the Welfare Ministry takes care of
prisoners and their families both during their incarceration
and after their release. "I consulted with Ministry experts
and all of them firmly rejected the proposal, saying it would
cause more harm than good and would definitely not contribute
to reducing social violence," writes Rabbi Ravitz.
"From my standpoint there is another aspect as well," the
letter continues. "Since it is known Torah-based
rehabilitation is the most successful I would like to
continue to promote it, which I will be able to do best if
the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority remains in my ministry,
the Welfare Ministry." Rabbi Ravitz also notes Torah-based
rehabilitation results in the lowest recidivism rate in
Israel and the rest of the world.
