My Education about Mexican Prisons

Our friend and fellow missionary, Sharon Heneveld, began a powerful prison ministry several years ago. What had began as an outreach by 2 women who overheard a conversation between prison guards about collecting food waste for prisoners to eat, has grown into an important ministry. Sharon retired in January, 2007 and entrusted those who had worked with her to continue the ministry.

But let's go back to that conversation the ladies overheard! "Food waste?" I asked. As I listened and learned more, I came to understand some of the important differences between the US and Mexico and how they treat their prisoners. Imagine this...

If a person is sentenced to prison in Chiapas, whether he/she will serve 4 months or 40 years, the State only pays for food for the first 90 days. After that, his family is responsible for providing food for him. The family is not only forced to survive without their primary wage-earner, but they are now responsible for having extra money to buy his food and get it to him regularly. Prisoners are provided with one set of clothing (not even 2 so they'll have something to wear while the other set is being washed!) and a mattress (not even a blanket).

Sharon and her partners in prison ministries had established a strong ministry since 1992. They visited 4 prisons in all, bringing basic food rations for those who had requested it and providing a monthly prepared meal for all prisoners who chose to participate. On their regular visits, they did not reach out to speak with any particular prisoner....just let it be known that they were available to anyone who wanted to talk. They never asked the nature of anyone's crime or tried to shove the Gospel down their throats. They simply lived the Gospel --- showing the love of Christ through their attention to the physical, emotional, spiritual and family needs of those prisoners who sought their care.

Many prisoners who had been involved with the church have returned, while others have come to know Christ for the first time. Others may be wary but are grateful for the "no questions asked," judgment-free concern by Sharon, Luisa and Antonia. Prison guards and the director have requested assistance with getting materials for prisoners to build a new chapel at their new prison and are consistently supportive of this ministry.

So as a person who's always touted the party line of personal responsibility, how do I feel about this "provide for yourself" model of corrections? After all, it's not the state's fault the person committed a crime. Many in the US bemoan that prisoners get better care than many law abiding citizens, all at taxpayers expense. And yet who suffers in this system? Perhaps family members suffer most of all, and they committed no crime. They are responsible for caring for their own, even if they struggle to meet their own needs. Perhaps that is the price for loving the criminal, I don't know.

What I do know is this....Jesus set the example for everything that we as Christians are supposed to believe. And what, pray tell, was Jesus' example of how to respond to the criminal? It was, as always, to reach out with compassion, forgiveness, love and encouragement for them to live a life that would be pleasing to God. No questions asked. Period.

So it is that I find myself the "counselor" member of a newly formed Board of Directors for the prison ministry of the Maya Synod. As my Spanish is limited, I'll begin by helping sell handmade goods for prisoners, writing grant proposals, dyeing orange t-shirts for those who need an extra change of clothes, and leading translated discussions about self-esteem, forgiveness and recovery from addiction. With God's blessing, we will secure the funds to help these devoted Christian prisoners build their house of prayer, help feed & clothe them, and help their families in the spirit and tradition of Jesus. No questions asked. Period.