Jail

[16KJV11]

Several of our IFB peers have ended up there.
I wonder what it's like for them.
What do they think about?
Are they filled with remorse?
Have they gotten right with God or have they adopted the lifestyle and lingo of the joint.
Does anyone visit them?
Do they attend chapel services?
What do they do every day?
Do they wish they could end it all?
Has their family completely abandoned them?
I actually think about these things.
Several years ago, the dad (a Christian) of someone I knew went to jail for some financial improprieties that he supposedly committed.
When he finally got out after a 5 year stretch,  not only was his health broken, but he was a completely changed man, for the worse.
His attitude and lingo had become that which he was surrounded by 24/7.
He no longer wanted anything to do with God and treated his family horribly.
The man who won me to Christ became a prison guard in the 90's. 
After a while, I noticed that he too had adopted the 'prison' lingo.
I don't think his stretch as a guard in a medium security prison did much for his walk with the Lord.

 

[kaba]

I guess if you want to know how they feel, you really should ask someone.

I have a close family member that works in the prison system.  He has not picked up on the prison lingo. He actually is trying to make a difference in the lives of the inmates. So I guess it just depends on who it is.

My son works with someone that was in prison for 5 years. He came out a changed man. He took what he experienced and changed it for good.  I also know someone very well, someone I would see almost everyday, that is in prison for about 15 years. He of course is innocent in his eyes and is wrongly incarcerated. And has an attitude about being there.

There are good people that work in the prison system that are good people and are not affected by the culture there.

 

[prophet]

Several of our IFB peers have ended up there.
I wonder what it's like for them.
What do they think about?
Are they filled with remorse?
Have they gotten right with God or have they adopted the lifestyle and lingo of the joint.
Does anyone visit them?
Do they attend chapel services?
What do they do every day?
Do they wish they could end it all?
Has their family completely abandoned them?
I actually think about these things.
Several years ago, the dad (a Christian) of someone I knew went to jail for some financial improprieties that he supposedly committed.
When he finally got out after a 5 year stretch,  not only was his health broken, but he was a completely changed man, for the worse.
His attitude and lingo had become that which he was surrounded by 24/7.
He no longer wanted anything to do with God and treated his family horribly.
The man who won me to Christ became a prison guard in the 90's. 
After a while, I noticed that he too had adopted the 'prison' lingo.
I don't think his stretch as a guard in a medium security prison did much for his walk with the Lord.

They get used to it.
Everything.
Maybe during the trial, but the remorse is replaced by acceptance, eventually.
They may do both. If they ever lived on a counter-culture, prior to that, they already know "the lingo", and if you don't learn "the lingo", you may miss some very important warnings of imminent danger
Depends on what kinda jerk they actually were.  If they showed themself friendly, prior to incarceration, then they will be visited by many, and etc.
Yes, if they are saved, they will attend chapel, even if it is horrible.  The desire to assemble with believers is a drive in us, like sex is in a teenage boy.  If things are too Popish, they will probably attend some cell-block "home Bible Study", for which they can petition for visiting 'clergy' from their specific 'religion'.
Whatever they can, to eat up time.
  They will have assigned duties.
  Study courses and certifications
    are available.
  Law Library is usually a popular
    place.
Depends on their mental state, and the nature of their crime.  If they are a molester, they may be so abused by fellow prisoners, that they deem death the only escape.  Jesus recommends this for them, as well:

Luk 17:2
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Most of the time, no, their immediate family stays involved.  They are allowed phone calls, visits, and mail, so they can maintain their familiar relationships.  Again, in the case of monsters like Combs, Gray, or Yarborough, the family may be relieved to be rid of them.

Anishinaabe

 

[Still There]

Before his accident Steve Huckins worked at the Michigan City prison.  Hard criminals.  I believe his rank at the time of his accident was counselor.  He would tell me some stories that he'd talk to the men about everything, home life growing up, etc. and find out where they went wrong.  He said he'd tell them  "isn't it time to straighten up?"  Yea you're here for life, but it doesn't mean you can't make something of yourself while you're here. 

Please pray for Steve.  He's got a lot of severe health issues. 

 

[IFB X-Files]

I've been in jail/prison ministries for over 9 years.  I currently am approved for the Maricopa County jail system (Sheriff Joe - the pink underwear guy) but do not currently serve.  In all my years I've met few consecrated Christians in prison.  I've met many who "play" religion and "use" religion to help themselves.

Once we were going door-to-door in lockdown and heard a man yelling, "It sounds like a couple of Baptists!"  Well, that was not something you heard everyday.  When we got to his cell we found a man who claims to be a Christian, even a IFB Christian!  The first we noticed was that he was not ashamed nor showed any remorse for being in prison.  Drugs got him where he was.  Anyway, to make a long story short, the reason he was in lockdown was because he had escaped!  He hid under a produce truck and rode out of prison and back to Las Vegas (about 40 miles) hanging under a truck!  Of course they caught him and he was in lockdown waiting to be sent to the prison in Ely, NV where they have maximum security (and also death row).  This was this man's second prison term and because of his escape, his "testimony" among other Christians in the prison was not so good (go figure!).

We corresponded for years.  He got out a couple of years ago but went back to crime and was known as the "motorcycle bandit".  So now this "Christian" is back in and hopefully he'll never get out.

I remember another man who I believe was a real Christian and had a good testimony in the joint.  When he got out his wife threatened him by telling him she would call his parole officer if he kept "living for Jesus".  Ain't family somethin'?  I have no idea what happened to him.

My mentor in prison ministry was Ted Kerber.  He did that work for over 40 years.  On occasion we would be walking through the yard of the prison and some convict would call his name.  This man had heard "Bro. Ted" preach at the county jail years earlier.  When Ted asked him why he was back in, the man replied, "Well, Bro. Ted, I jus guess da Lawd needed to teach me sumthin'". 

The prisons are wide open for the gospel.  Sure, there is little real "fruit" but at least the lost know they're sinners.

 

[Sherryh]

I have great respect for the people that work/ minister to men and women...I get tears in my eyes when they come in ....only by the grace of God there go I

 

[JrChurch]

The only person I have known that was in "jail", actually at Ft. Leavenworth, was a military officer we knew at a church who was living a big lie and hiding a big secret.  Not really an IFB guy, just using church as a cover.  He was murdered a month before his release. 

 

[Binaca Chugger]

I have watched many of the IFB members find themselves in jail.  I have made a conscious effort to visit those church members who find themselves there for a period of time.  I have been a welcome friend to the one in jail whose pastors will not come see him, but been scorned just after the release date since I am not part of that church any more.  I also find it interesting that the IFB leadership in large churches will not go to the jail to visit, but will go so far as to ordain these guys once they are out.

Come to my college and get so far in debt that crime seems to be your only option.  Promise to bear my name, and I will send you into the ministry.  I am so done with empire-builders.

 

[patriotic]

My BIL was in federal prison for about 5 years or so back in the day with Jimmy Baker was in prison.  (They were in same prison for a while.)  BIL took the fall for EPA findings against his company.  He admits he did wrong in doing what his superiors told him to do.  (Mercury "spill" into ocean marshes.) 

Anyway, the JWs really worked that prison a lot.  BIL was raised  a Baptist (SBC), was a deacon before this happened and is again now.  However, during his time he often went to the JWs meetings because they were willing to spend time with the inmates there. 

He is a very kind man.  He is lots of fun and is a big teaser.  He will even joke somewhat about being a "felon".....says it makes who to vote for President easy since he can't vote.  I do not notice that he is a harder man for his time in federal prison. 

I also have a cousin (in law) who was a counselor at state prison.  He had to quit because, even though he was trained in psychology, he couldn't handle it psychologically himself.  He even had to spend some time in a mental institution himself. 

 

[ItinerantPreacher]

Did a little prison ministry work, helped others who had organized. Met a pastor in jail, SBC guy who had murdered his wife and her lover in his bed in a fit of rage. (Shotgun). His testimony was up and down. He was up when we were there, but I heard not long later he was in a dark place, depressed, not going to any chapel services.

I am acquainted with the Thompson family, the two jailed in Texas, but I have never had occasion to ask what it was like for them.