'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:35-36
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40
As part of my current course "Dimensions of Correctional Ministry" the first lecture this week is entitled, "Understanding Corrections." One of the books for required reading is an excellent book by Lennie Spitale entitled, "Prison Ministry - Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out". In it he describes what he labels the Fourth Dimension.
When I read the Fourth Dimension I couldn't help but recall the intro to that weekly television show, "The Twilight Zone" where Rod Steiger invites you into the "fifth dimension." It ran from 1959 - 1964. Do you remember the sound track? If you can't remember - here's a 30 second sound bite (see I'm not only a "picture person" but an "audio person" as well ;-)
No taxicabs will ever be hailed from these streets; vehicles are not permitted. Here there are no bus stops, train stations, or parking garages. There are no automobiles, airplanes, or bicycles. All traffic is pedestrian, but running is prohibited by law. The city has one road leading in; there are none leading out. There are no shopping malls, grocery stores, or fast-food restaurants. Banks are unheard of, as are credit unions, employment agencies, or ATMs. Cash is extinct; plastic is forbidden. All the apparel worn by the inhabitants of this alien landscape is identical. Colors are predetermined by the system; style is irrelevant. All mail, in or out, is subject to search, seizure and censure. Big Brother is a reality; your every step and position, every hour of the day, is known and monitored. And though the dark Orwellian night has fallen, the lights are on. Always. Somewhere.
Welcome to the Fourth Dimension, a parallel universe vaguely mirroring your own. Step out of your own universe for a moment if you will; your tour guide awaits you. The doors are open, but they will soon shut with a singular clang as you leave your own time zone. The culture here is as different as that of any foreign country, but most of the inhabitants speak your language. Welcome to the world of the incarcerated; their hospitality will surprise you."
In another book (required reading) entitled "Ministry to the Incarcerated", Dr. Henry Covert describes the corrections environment as "a dehumanizing, punishing, and controlled environment. There are few opportunities for individual decisions. The life of an inmate is one of boredom, routine, bland and repetitive food. Most institutions are loud, colorless, and unpredictable. Gangs are rampant. There may be dangers
from sexual assault or fights. Inmates feel lonely, angry, afraid, ashamed, have a low self-esteem, dysfunctional thinking, and for some spiritually open.
One positive aspect of incarceration is that, for some inmates, they believe that their forced removal from society has given them a second chance.
The prison code is don't trust, don't tell, don't snitch, don't lose your head - (play it cool and do your time [men]). Women want to avoid "the mix" (trouble makers), do their time and go home. Don't whine, be a man. "Gay for the stay," for women who develop relationships as coping with prison life."
I hope this provides you with some insight and something to think about while you are praying for those who are incarcerated. Thank you and may you continue to be blessed as you bless others. YSIC Judi