- Apr 22, 2011
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Isolation for more than 19 days is considered torture. In prison some people have been in isolation for years. I saw a movie about a man who was falsely convicted and spent 15 years in isolation. They movie was about his psychological adjustment once he got out. It did not go well and he committed suicide. I do not remember the name of the movie but it was really sad.
Crime and punishment is controversial. I learned the hard way that some criminals belong in prison as they are dangerous. But I believe in humane treatment.
A good movie about something good coming out of incarceration is American History X. A Nazi prisoner has a black cell mate and they bond. He does not want to be a Nazi by the time he gets out. Sad ending, however, as his Nazi friends do not want to let him to and they murder his son.
Warning to those who try to do prison ministry alone. Don't. Many prisoners want to take advantage of bleeding hearts, so go in with a group and set firm boundaries. God will guide you to the one who really want to know Christ.
If you are with a group it is ok for women to go into a men's prison. One guy told me once he came to the meeting to "smell the ladies' perfume," and stayed when he found Christ.
After proper training I went in by myself. At first the guards would be in the room with me as we met in the gym that had full length windows facing the hall. But after I earned the inmates respect and they earned mine the guards left me alone in the room with them as they sat out by the door. They did not want the group to be intiminated by them being in the room and they could relax as we shred with each other. If any one of them started making any disturbances all I had to say is that if they did not want to be there the guard would be happy to escort them back to their cell. They always calmed down as some only came to get out of their cell for an hour and I knew that.
I also had the privilege of one on one when it was requested. I remember sitting across the table with this big burly man that was in for murder who actually broke down and started crying when I started talking about God's mercy and grace and the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. He not only accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, but was also baptized in the Holy Spirit right there where he was sitting.
Being with these guys, and girls too as I also had an hour with them every week, you knew who were or were not sincere. After each Bible class I also gave time for Q&A and some of the inmates knew their scriptures better than I and we learned from each other. The important thing is to not treat them like criminals, but human beings for who they are as we have all sinned and fell short of God's glory. If you go in with the attitude you are better than they are there is no respect, but if you go in and show them all of you are on the same level then growth can be made and they respect that.
