There but by the grace of God go I.” Generations of Christians have used that phrase to put life in perspective, to sympathize with another’s plight and even as a reminder not to judge another’s position in life.

That phrase can quickly put lots of things in perspective in many, many situations.

For example, how many of us have whizzed down the highway at 65 mph as a small group of prisoners slowly works their way along the median, picking up trash?

Have you ever stopped to consider how they got there or what their lives were like?

Ever pondered how different their lives might be than your own?

It has been said that how a society treats its prisoners speaks volumes about that society.

From the edge of the highway that becomes a blur at 65 mph.

While using prisoners for public works may be controversial to some people, we think it’s an excellent way to serve two important functions.

In our community, inmate labor has almost certainly saved the government millions of dollars in labor.

Aside from the obvious source of free labor for the greater good of the public, inmate work programs allow incarcerated individuals a chance to get out of their confinement at least temporarily.

Prison work programs are sometimes considered one of the first steps towards rehabilitation for those individuals whose lives can be changed.

So the next time you see a group of inmates along the highway, honk and wave because, “There but by the grace of God goes you and I.”