Visiting those in prison

[Dave McClung]

In Matthew 25, Jesus talked about separating the sheep from the goats. In the list of things that were considered positive was visiting people who were in prison, "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." When was the last time you visited someone in prison?

I don't know how it was in Bible times, but today one can't just drop by to visit someone in prison. In Washington, one must apply to be placed on the visitor list, be approved by the prisoner and by the warden. It is a process that takes weeks and sometimes months. And, one has to have a reason to visit that the warden considers a good one.

Although it isn't practical to visit, it is possible to send a Christmas Card. If you think well of the idea, send a Christmas Card to my former pastor. Include a note saying that he is being remembered in prayer.

As far as I know, he is visited only by his parents and by a retired pastor who visits every six months.

His address is:
Stephen Kerr 31006
Airway Heights Corrections Center
P.O. Box 2049 MB-550
Airway Heights, WA 99001-2049

[Ryan Scott]

Yeah. It's difficult. I have to call this week to confirm that I am on the visitors list to visit someone in a work-release halfway house on Saturday.

The way that we treat our prisoners is pretty sad in this society, especially the way we make it difficult to engage them in this way. I've been more and more convicted that this needs to be a regular part of our Christian practice.

It's just amazing how much pushback you get from those running prison systems (even, in my limited experience, from the chaplains there as well).

The last time I went to an actual prison (and this was just short-term county lock-up), I called ahead a week in advance and again the day before, brought all the necessary identification they requested, and still had to fight for half an hour to receive permission to see the person I came to see.

Even then our visit got cut short because he had been in the shower and didn't arrive until halfway through the allotted time. I find this even more odd, because he told me they sent him to the showers at an unusual time that day.

[Mike Schutz]

I have been involved in a regular program of Monday night services for prisoners. Unfortunately, a change in administration stopped the program.

Dave, Let me say I really appreciate your suggestion. I know it has been a journey for you.

[Dennis M. Scott]

The most recent prisoner I have visited was one of my parishioners, who has since been released. When I visited him in prison, I did so with his family. For those in prison, continuing to work with their families during the prison sentence and following, is important. At our state prison, visitors and family members are almost treated like the prisoners. The fact that it is difficult, humiliating, uncomfortable and time consuming, to visit prisoners merely underscores the importance of our doing it.

[Dave McClung]

The most recent prisoner I have visited was one of my parishioners, who has since been released. When I visited him in prison, I did so with his family. For those in prison, continuing to work with their families during the prison sentence and following, is important. At our state prison, visitors and family members are almost treated like the prisoners. The fact that it is difficult, humiliating, uncomfortable and time consuming, to visit prisoners merely underscores the importance of our doing it.

When I hear people talking about the "plush life" that prisioners have, I know that they have never been in a prison even as a visitor. I am a firm believer that every high school senior should have to visit a state pen as part of their Civics class. It isn't a place I ever want to stay.

[Bill Morrison]

When I was a student at Olivet many moons ago, I was in charge of our prison ministry for a year. Each week we sent a team to the Kankakee County Jail (at that time housed in a building that had been built in the 1890's or so) and to the "reform school" for boys located a few miles outside of town. Interesting experiences. Once I was talking to a young man through a tiny window in the solid door. The Deputy passed by and asked me if I would do better if he let me in the cell with the young man. I gulped and said "sure" and spent some time inside. Another time we dealt with a man who had murdered his two year old child the day before. Some prisoners were glad to see us, others were hostile. Many prisoners were fond of yelling at us and telling us we were in the wrong place....we should be across the street at the courthouse preaching to the evil judges that had put them there. I would hope that in my maturity I could do a better job than I did at age 20 (but maybe I couldn't). I trust God will use our feeble efforts when we are faithful to go where He directs us. I do think some people are more cut out for this ministry than others. Be open to it and do what God leads you to do.

BILL

[Kevin Jackson]

I don't know how it was in Bible times, but today one can't just drop by to visit someone in prison. In Washington, one must apply to be placed on the visitor list, be approved by the prisoner and by the warden. It is a process that takes weeks and sometimes months. And, one has to have a reason to visit that the warden considers a good one.

Hi Dave, I live in East WA and participate in a prison ministry group. Joining a ministry group that does chapel services is one way to get a pass. For the reason you just put "ministry" or "spiritual development". This does not give you one-on-one visiting, but only is good for during a scheduled chapel service. But, If your friend attends the service, it would provide a way for you to visit with him. A prison ministry team can get you a temp pass fairly quickly (mine took about a month to process). They can also vouch for your character, and can assist with the paperwork for a permanent pass if that's something you're interested in. And they are always excited to find new volunteers. It would be necessary to include on the form that you do know one of the inmates and that visiting him in the chapel service is at least part of your motivation.

[Dave McClung]

Hi Dave, I live in East WA and participate in a prison ministry group. Joining a ministry group that does chapel services is one way to get a pass. For the reason you just put "ministry" or "spiritual development". This does not give you one-on-one visiting, but only is good for during a scheduled chapel service. But, If your friend attends the service, it would provide a way for you to visit with him. A prison ministry team can get you a temp pass fairly quickly (mine took about a month to process). They can also vouch for your character, and can assist with the paperwork for a permanent pass if that's something you're interested in. And they are always excited to find new volunteers. It would be necessary to include on the form that you do know one of the inmates and that visiting him in the chapel service is at least part of your motivation.

Kevin, Thanks for the advice. Our church, Gig Harbor Church of the Nazarene, also has a prison ministry. It is a worthwhile ministry.

[Wes Smith]

One of the nicest memories I have of my years in ministry is the time I spent with incarcerated brothers. The heart of my prison ministry was at the Federal Correctional Facility in Sheridan, OR. Grady Zickefoose was Chaplain there for several years and was a joy to work with! I was there just about every Wednesday evening for 6 years or so. An amazing privilege and a great exercise in friendship development

One inmate, Eddie, got up to sing one of those evenings, "Why should I feel discouraged?" He was a tall, handsome black man and his voice was full of soul. Shadley was the pianist and gifted with the ability to wrap the piano accompaniment around him. He didn't need to sing another phrase. He got my immediate attention. "Eddie, I'll tell you why you should feel discouraged. You are in prison, dude. And there's very little chance of you walking in free sunshine for many, many years. You should feel discouraged because you have to wear those tacky tan pants and shirt. You should feel discouraged because you have no family to love you and you are totally surrounded with...men, if you hadn't noticed." The list was developed in a flash and was much longer than what I've written here.

Thankfully, Eddie didn't draw out that line and sit down. His next lines were majestic, "For Jesus is my Savior, my constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me! His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me!" I had gone to FCI that evening to minister. Eddie totally turned the table on me! Just about anytime I'm tempted to be down, I can hear that soulful voice, "Why.....?"

I have found Jesus everywhere I have gone, but no place more so than in prison.

My very last visit to jail (local jail, Longview, WA) was to visit a most beautiful 40 year old lady. And, I'd like for that not to be interpreted wrongly. If you saw her, you would say the same thing. There is much more to this story, but this lady has traveled the world hand in hand with guys that had no other motivation than to take advantage of her. Her demon was/is booze and it is slowly killing her. I said to her, "You just don't fit my image of an inmate!" She responded, "I know, everyone says that." It was fun to say from as deep in my pastor's heart as I could go, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!" The enemy has had a plan for her too, but certainly not a wonderful plan or even a good plan. I believe with all my heart that Jesus and all his friends at Celebrate Recovery are her ticket to the...wonderful life!

I have said at times that I could easily spend my life in prison ministry. There is hardly a better time or place for people to bump into Jesus. He told us to go to jail, directly to jail, not altogether for the folks who are there, but because HE is there!

Friend,

Wes

[Scott Sherwood]

Last week. But, I'm a pastor, so its not like I have to go out of my way to have the opportunity. Its part of my job description.

I have recently been struck by the reality that every single member of the Church of the Nazarene has already committed to visit those in prison (amongst a lot of other things for which we seldom hold each other accountable). It's right there in the Covenant of Christian Character and has always been an expectation of every Nazarene member.

It is required
of all who desire to unite with the Church of the Nazarene,
and thus to walk in fellowship with us, that they
shall show evidence of salvation from their sins by a godly
walk and vital piety; and that they shall be, or earnestly desire
to be, cleansed from all indwelling sin. They shall evidence
their commitment to God—

(5) Seeking to do good to the bodies and souls of men;
feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick
and imprisoned, and ministering to the needy, as opportunity
and ability are given (Matthew 25:35-36; 2 Corinthians
9:8-10; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18).

[Dave McClung]

Wes

That song was one of my dad's favorites. Here is a link to my father, Jack McClung, singing it: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19957918/MP3...20Tomorrow.mp3

PS: I made a mistake. The link isn't to the song that Wes referenced, but it is still a good one.

[Wes Smith]

Wes

That song was one of my dad's favorites. Here is a link to my father, Jack McClung, singing it: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19957918/MP3...20Tomorrow.mp3

PS: I made a mistake. The link isn't to the song that Wes referenced, but it is still a good one.

Wow! You have a recording of your dad singing. What a treasure! It was good to hear him sing. Thanks!

Friend,

Wes

[Dale Cozby]

I spent this last Saturday for about 8 hours in a maximum security prison with my friends and brothers in white.
I am part of a very powerful ministry called Kairos. It is highly resepcted down here in TDCJ.
I became a part of it several years ago because I felt God wanted me to also visit those in prison.
Kairos forms up into individual units that visit specific prisons while being a part of a larger state, natiomnal and international organization.
My unit is the George Beto Unit of Kairos.
It takes some dedication to be a part of a prison ministry.
They teach you what you need to know to ministry effectively and the TDCJ teaches you what you need to be safe and stay out of trouble inside.

If you feel you might be called to those that are really hitting bottom in life look here to fidn out more info. http://www.kairosprisonministry.org/

My unit does two 4 day weekends a year and then asks for a Saturday a morning about once a month if you can make it. (you can do more if you like) But like all volunteer organizations it is up to you how much time you give to the ministry.
It really isn't hard once you get plugged in and it is very rewarding to be a part of it.

The best way to see if this is something for you is to visit a closing service of one of the weekends near you. The service is usually on Sunday afternoon between regular church services. Contact the Kairos Unit and get an application to attend a closing and get instructions on what to wear and what to not bring with you. They need your name and DL# so you can be added to the prison gate list and thats it.

[Dale Cozby]

When I hear people talking about the "plush life" that prisioners have, I know that they have never been in a prison even as a visitor. I am a firm believer that every high school senior should have to visit a state pen as part of their Civics class. It isn't a place I ever want to stay.

We served over 400 brothers in white a Christmas dinner Saturday. One told my wife it was the first time in 8 years he had turkey as he passed throgh the line. Another asked for as many dinner rolls as he could have because they don't get served yeast risen bread and he missed it. Another brother came up to me at the end I didn't know and thanked me for treating him like a human being. It felt really good to know they were still counted as worth something to somebody.
Over the years I have shared letters with men that have been forgotten by everyone. One man had been in prison for 18 years and NEVER received a personal letter. He wept for an hour when he got ours.

Your letters are worth thier weight in gold to men who never get written.
Also the prsions have no ac or heat so this summer in Texas was especially harsh on them all. One man I hadn't seen for a while lost 86 pounds since May! I told him how good he looked. No, prison is harsh not plush. At least where I visit.

[Marsha Lynn]

It has been a couple of years. The county jail doesn't make it easy.

1. You have to call ahead and schedule an appointment.

2. The prisoner may have only one (non-clergy) visit per week. So if there is a family member going every week, there's no room for other visitors on their schedule.

3. The "visits" are via a camera and telephone. While two visitors are allowed at a time, sharing a telephone is difficult.

The young man I went to see is back in jail but I haven't tried going again.

My family and I did regular visits with a relative in the state prison system for over three years. Although less geographically convenient we at least were able to sit at a table with the inmate we were visiting and there was no limitation on how many visits the prisoner could have, just how often any one particular person could visit (every two weeks) and the total number of names on the list of authorized visitors for that prisoner (quite a few but not unlimited). My children were all in their pre- to early teen years during that time and learned how to stand to be patted down by security guards.

A similarity between the county jail and the state prison system is the tendency to treat visitors as though they are guilty by association and in need of being reminded of their lack of rights in the prison setting.

[Dale Cozby]

A similarity between the county jail and the state prison system is the tendency to treat visitors as though they are guilty by association and in need of being reminded of their lack of rights in the prison setting.

Yes visitors are treated as though they are associates of the convict and thus guilty by association. They get their cars searched upon entry and exit of the prison entrance. However, this is not the case when you are a chaplain volunteer in Kairos. We are given great respect by the officers(something that has been earned over twenty five years of service there) We get waived through most every time(even though they can stop any of us at anytime). Everyone has to go through pat down and x-ray even the officers themselves must go through that to enter. After a few years of going through that prodcedure the officers that do the pat downs know you and you know them, so it all just becomes routine safety making sure you didn't do anything stupid.

[David Pettigrew]

My roles as pastor and foster parent often take me into both the jails and courtrooms of our county. Just this week, I had to take a child for a DNA test, and was appalled at the way I and those around me were treated. Personnel in these jobs are overworked and underpaid, and they don't have time to differentiate between the guilty and innocent. It's easier just to assume everyone is human trash, and that is certainly how I was treated. This has not always been my experience in the court room, but it has certainly always been my experience at the jail. I'd love to voice my concern to someone in a position to change things, but wouldn't begin to know who that would be. I'm extremely grateful that I can walk in and out of these facilities pretty much at will. As a professional member of the community, if I'm treated with contempt, I can only imagine how the condemned fare.

[Dave McClung]

.... As a professional member of the community, if I'm treated with contempt, I can only imagine how the condemned fare.

Imagine if you were a former member of the clergy who confessed to molesting children.

[Charles W Christian]

Dave -
I confess that in our transition time to Ohio in the past 9 months, it's been awhile. Having Stephen's address is a gift, and I will follow up with a Christmas card. I spoke with him just before his confession, and then I spoke with his wife right after. I know that you and many others at Gig Harbor have handled the difficulties with grace, and it is a blessing to see. I appreciate your helpful reminder that although the "storm" of the crime and its reporting have in many ways passed, there is still a person who needs to hear of God's love in prison.

Blessings,
Charles

[Jon Twitchell]

My roles as pastor and foster parent often take me into both the jails and courtrooms of our county. Just this week, I had to take a child for a DNA test, and was appalled at the way I and those around me were treated. Personnel in these jobs are overworked and underpaid, and they don't have time to differentiate between the guilty and innocent. It's easier just to assume everyone is human trash, and that is certainly how I was treated. This has not always been my experience in the court room, but it has certainly always been my experience at the jail. I'd love to voice my concern to someone in a position to change things, but wouldn't begin to know who that would be. I'm extremely grateful that I can walk in and out of these facilities pretty much at will. As a professional member of the community, if I'm treated with contempt, I can only imagine how the condemned fare.

Universal precautions, you know...

[Dave McClung]

After I asked all of you to write to Stephen Kerr, my letter was rejected by the prison officials because I didn't put my full name in the return address. I used just my last name. Regulations are regulatons.

I have revised the letter and will try again.