I Was in Prison
Fr Jacob Eranat
In St Mathew's gospel, chapter
25, we have an integral and concise account of the last judgement. There
it is made very clear who will go to heaven and who will be condemned to
hell.
To those found worthy of
heavenly bliss, Jesus says, "I was naked and you gave me clothing, I
was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me"
(Mt 25:36). To those condemned to hell Jesus says, "I was a stranger
and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick
and in prison and you did not visit me" (Mt 25:43). The truth that
Jesus, the eternal Judge makes clear is that, "...just as you did it
to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to
me..."(Mt 25:40).
There are several truths
in this word of God that need to be thought over, meditated on and prayed
about.
Prison and prisoners
When we hear about the prison,
the picture that arises in our minds is a thick-walled room or building
guarded by the police or the military, plunged in darkness and bound by
iron chains. Inside these rooms are people deprived of freedom, conveniences,
contact with their dear ones or the public. Some others are under trial
or imprisoned temporarily.
A number of these unfortunate
culprits will be awaiting our visit or feeling the need of it. Perhaps
there are some prisoners who do not wish to see us or may even hate us;
there may be hardened sinners; repentant penitents and those who wish to
begin a new life; those who fell into trouble unawares and those who were
deceived; those who might be cursing their family and friends; there may
also be prisoners who are longing or trying to commit suicide.
It is our duty to visit
and help the prisoners who have been banished from society for one reason
or another. It is up to us to console them and give them the zest for life.
To lead them to repentance and conversion and guide them on the way to
heaven is also our bounden duty. We should all be aware of this obligation.
What can we do for
prisoners?
We can do several things.
Here are a few suggestions:
1 Pray that the prisoners
may receive the grace to repent of the crimes that landed them in prison.
2 Pray that they may be
delivered from despair and that they may not lead their fellow-prisoners
in the path of error and evil.
3 That they who have been
jailed for immorality may avoid the possibility of transmission of diseases
and occasions of sin for themselves and their fellow-prisoners.
4 Visit or write letters
of consolation to the suffering families of prisoners.
5 Visit the prisoners now
and then with prior permission and directives from the jail warden and
the jail chaplain.
6 Collect prior information
about the inmates who are in despair or who have suicidal tendencies; contact
them, pray for them and give them the necessary counselling, trying to
instil spiritual strength in them. Occasionally celebrate the Eucharist
in the jail, conduct penitential services and encourage Catholics to receive
Holy Communion. Permission for this should be obtained earlier. Personal
experience proves that these are very effective means of helping the inmates.
7 Prisoners very often are
the victims of brutal and cruel treatment from the authorities. There are
cases when they are hated, blamed and looked down upon by society, even
by family members. We should realise the great mental stress and deep emotional
wounds that these conditions create in the prisoners and while visiting
them, express our love, esteem and compassion for them.
8 There is every chance
for those who are serving a prison term for the first time or innocent
people who are behind bars as the result of treachery or malice, to be
easily and cruelly victimised and abused by fellow-prisoners. Such prisoners
should be duly warned and strengthened against these pitfalls. It would
be good also to be in touch with the jail authorities.
9 There are several services
that prisoners can do. For example-remodelling used Christmas and greeting
cards and painting pictures. The proceeds from the sale of such articles
can be used for the benefit of the inmates. Pious associations and voluntary
service organizations can get in touch with the jail authorities regarding
this matter.
10 Look for those released
on bail or after they have served their term and conduct special retreats
and counselling sessions for them individually or as a group. To give them
a live-in experience will be highly beneficial.
11 Those prisoners condemned
to death need special consideration. Provide a proper environment of love,
hope and repentance for the reception of the Eucharist.
12 Some prisoners sentenced
for a long period, do not have even a single visitor for years together.
We should try to understand their loneliness, mental anguish, and feelings
of revenge and resentment. During our visits we need to give them the assurance
of our love, our consideration and save them from despair (The historical
event of Pope Paul II, who was shot at by Mohammed Ali on May 13, 1981,
but visited him in prison in 1983 only to give him love and pardon, is
memorable in this context).
13 It is good to get prisoners
trained for the ministry of the word among their companions. Distribute
leaflets, books, gifts and devotional articles occasionally.
14 Take the initiative to
reconcile the prisoners with their families, and co-workers who hate them,
and re-establish a loving relationship. Family visits should be arranged
for this purpose.
15 Student prisoners should
be provided with the convenience of postal tuition, interviews and other
amenities for study and answering examinations. Special consideration should
to given to the handicapped.
16 Audio and video cassettes
that inspire good thoughts and desires could be sent to prisoners.
17 On days of celebration,
arrange for children's programmes and entertainments that make the inmates
happy and enlightened.
18 Become aware that those
released from jail fall again into the same evil ways. It is necessary,
therefore, to contact such people, find out the root cause of their evil
inclinations and help them along the right path through counselling and
similar means. We should never have the attitude of being happy to get
rid of them.
19 It would be good to encourage
the literary and artistic tastes of the prisoners. How many are the benefits
of utilising the period of imprisonment for rest, reflection, study and
creative writing!
20 Regular prayers can be
offered in families and Churches for the various graces prisoners stand
in need of. Observe one Sunday every month as jail day and educate the
public about the socio-economic conditions that create criminals and the
different ways in which we can help them.
Spiritual criminals
and prisoners
Perhaps there are among
us prisoners in the spirit in greater numbers than the people behind bars.
They are not taken to court, made to wear the jail uniform, given corporal
punishment or condemned to death. They are, nevertheless, in shackles,
shackled by evil and under the bondage of immoral relationships, enslaved
and oppressed by Satan. They are apparently free, happy-go-lucky, enjoying
themselves to the fullest extent possible. Yet, they succumb easily to
evil inclinations in provocative situations and become the victims of temptation
and are caught up in a vicious circle. Their condition is deplorable. With
no life of prayer, completely alien to the Sacraments, contemptuous of
helps like retreats they keep rolling in the mire of worldly lusts, destroying
themselves and others. Alcohol, women, drugs and blue films are permanent
weaknesses. To discover this kind of people enslaved to sin requires a
special dexterity. It is necessary to prepare special evangelists to approach
such prisoners of the spirit and duly lead them to repentance and conversion
and the Sacraments. Special prayer services and retreats should be organised
in parishes, particularly city parishes. The example of the early Church
in this matter is worthy of emulation (cf Acts 12:5). "Remember those
who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are
being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured" (Heb 13:3).