I am now eleven weeks in my new role as Director of E & C. Barry, our Associate Director, and I recently traveled to “the end of the road.” This term is frequently used by locals to describe the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) located in the small town of Angola. LSP, situated on a peninsula of 18,000 acres, houses thousands of inmates in cell blocks, outer camps and death row. The property is surrounded on three sides by alligator and snake-infested swampland leading to the Mississippi River and the east side main gate, which is literally at the end of a winding country road. Yet, for those incarcerated at the end of this pavement is an opportunity to actually “turn-around” and journey on a new road of hope paved by the mercy of Jesus.
Through the Gates
We were stopped at the main gate which oddly reminded me of Disney World, yet knowing this is no amusement park. We turned in our cell phones and were warmly greeted by Jay Jackson, the Catholic Chaplain and another Catholic Prison Minister, Gerry Chidester. After passing the drug dog sniffing test, we got back into our vehicles for the short drive to the main prison.
Striking my heart was an ironic view of the steeple rising over one of the chapels through the barbed wire. I immediately was reminded that Christ is everywhere and for everyone. His love and mercy transcends the thickest walls and triple-coiled barbed wire. But how? Deep responsibility overcame my initial reaction. It has stayed with me since.
Once inside the four layers of gates and security guards we passed Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Chapel to the right, adjacent to the Catholic Library (currently under construction but delayed for lack of funding) and the Protestant Chapel to the left, all three behind locked gates. We walked further passing the main cell blocks housing two inmates per cell. These men are allowed an hour a day in the yard (weather permitting); no more, no less. We turned left, passing the commissary and then finally to another chapel. Along the way we said “hello” to all we passed, guards and prisoners, alike and they in turn, welcomed us with the same.
Why Did We Go?
The purpose of our visit was to meet with the Catholic inmates who are catechists. They have been formed over the years by priests, deacons, religious, master catechists or lay leaders, all committed to sharing the Good News to the imprisoned. Some of the inmates have obtained Religious Education Certificates, and completed both Basic and Intermediate levels of Ministry & Theology Certification which includes 160 hours of class time. Others have participated in bible studies, and also have trained in liturgy to serve as lectors, servers, and sacristans.
They also minister to the other inmates, many of who are fallen-away Catholics and others with little or no faith. Hence, they are able to offer RCIA classes for those who want to become Catholic or complete their sacraments. It is truly a local parish within the prison walls.
Our visit with the catechists lasted over two hours. They accepted responsibility for t their bad decisions led to their imprisonment. But as they grew in wisdom through prayer and study, they also accepted the call to bring others the message of God’s love (the gift of faith) and their role to catechize and evangelize (faith in action). They asked for more resources to evangelize through and more classes in order to grow deeper in faith and knowledge.
We were both inspired and challenged with the request to equip the inmates so they can help other imprisoned souls “turnaround” and embrace the road of a Christ’s mercy. St. John Paul II, in his homily given July 9, 2000 to prisoners in Rome during the Great Jubilee Year, explains,
At the center of this Jubilee there is Christ, the prisoner; at the same time there is Christ the lawgiver. Where a faint flame of goodness still burns, he revives it with the breath of his love. The Holy Spirit must pervade this prison where we are meeting and all the prisons of the world. Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if, while maintaining the demands of justice and discouraging crime, they serve the rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order to be fully reintegrated into society.
We witnessed a flame of goodness within the hearts of the inmates. At the same time, we saw the desire for more. They are hungry for the truth, as are others around them. Here, the end of road for many is the end of freedom in the ordinary sense. But here also is the beginning of the endless road of hope paved by Jesus’ love and mercy, where true spiritual freedom in Christ can be sought. Where one stops the other continues bearing forgiveness, reconciliation, renewal, healing, hope, faith and joy.
Until next time….Peace