For the first time in my life after i was commissioned as a chaplain officer,i thought it was going to be an easy ride but i never knew that what i was going to was bigger than what i thought.Indeed,the prison is another world on its own.What I used to think about prison, I conceived images of the world’s most wicked.The honest truth is that I saw killers, gangsters, drug-dealers, and rapists who has been conemned,but most importantly,i saw our brothers In Christ in prison.When you don't know how to appreciate God and life in freedom,wait until its taken from you and you will see the reaction.After sitting there at their worship services at Kirikiri maximum prison with my other chaplain officer at the prison church, I learned more about Christianity in practice than I ever had at our small church at Abule Egba in Lagos,Nigeria.
Not only did the male inmates take notes as we shared the word of God with them and prayers,they led a worship band, and spoke about failure.
Christianity brings these men hope. One inmate told me, “My life sentence is a gift from God.” My visit to federal prison taught me more about humility, courage, and forgiveness than any philosopher ever could.
Here are the most important things I learned:
1. The prison is populated by human beings,not Aliens.
The men behind the bars are fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers.
2.Prison should be a place of reformation.
If we as a society were to claim that the goal of prison is rehabilitation and reconciliation, rather than simply containment and punishment,criminality and recidivism rates would drop.
3. Getting a job after being in prison is hard.
Even though their time was served, prisoners do not transition back to community easily. According to a National Institute of Justice report, employers pin a negative stigma on formerly incarcerated individuals and are less likely to hire them–Nigerians and Africans are even more than white people.
4. Just because someone is in prison doesn't mean he/she is lazy.
Not only were the inmates I met theologically knowledgeable, but they could quote sections of the federal criminal code that I didn’t even know existed. Inmates are an invaluable resource for advocacy groups trying to change the system, and neglecting to consult them is a mistake.
5. Second chance can save a life.
Many inmates at the prison remain devoid of love, support from family and friends, and mentorship whilst in prison. Christians are called to love all those who are image-bearers of Christ, and that includes even the most broken among us. If our society could foster a culture in which we do not isolate ex-offenders but instead welcome back returning citizens, that small second chance at life can rebuild and restore individuals, families, and communities.
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