An Eightfold Path for Prisoners’ Reformation
Rev Dr Francis Kodiyan MCBS
1. The Lost
The first parents disobeyed God’s commandment and committed sin. When Eve, the first woman saw the fruit of the tree was good, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took and ate it. She also gave it to her husband, and he also ate it. Then their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked; (Gen 3, 6-7). Thus, Adam and Eve became the first lost couple. They have billions of followers even today. The number of sinners and criminals such as terrorists, hired killers, murderers, rapists, prostitutes, robbers, cheaters, deceivers, is multiplying every day. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold (Mt 24,12).
1.1 The Promise
Though God punished the first parents he assured them a redeemer. He said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, ‘cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel’” (Gen 3,14-15).
1.2 Seek and Save the Lost
Jesus, the redeemer of the lost succinctly declared that he came to seek and save the lost. One day He was passing through Jericho. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. He came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Lk 19,1-10).
1.3 Lost and FoundAfter squandering his wealth in wild living and longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and when no one gave him anything, the prodigal son came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ He got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ They began to celebrate (Lk 15,11-24).
2. Reachout
Jesus’ style of action was to go out to the peripheries and outreach the lost, the least, and the last such as the marginalized, the oppressed, the neglected and rejected of the society. He went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness (Mt 9,35). Following the footprints of Jesus PMI volunteers go out to the peripheries in search of the lost to places like prisons, rescue homes, juvenile homes, observation homes and so on.
2.1 Reaching out Sinners
One day Jesus went to the tax booth. He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk, 2, 13-17).
2.2 To Carry the Burdens of the Lost
Outreaching the lost, Jesus expresses readiness to carry their burdens. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11,28).
2.3 Give Me a Drink
Jesus was going through Samaria. He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of Jacob. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”. The conversation began with this begging led to her conversion and the conversion of her village (Jn 4, 1-15).
2.4 Caring Love for the LostCriticizing the irresponsible behavior of the shepherds of the time, God speaks through prophet Ezekiel “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. I will shepherd the flock with justice” (Ezk 34, 16).
2.5 PMI Ministries Inside the Prison
3. Release
Jesus outreached many of the lost sheep and set them free from their bondages. He went to the tax booth of Levi and made him his disciple. He went to Zacchaeus’ family and liberated him from his bondages. PMI volunteers visit prisons and release them by means of legal aid, legal clinics and through government agencies and financial assistance.
3.1 Liberty to Captives
Jesus was very clear and convinced about the purpose of His birth. Going to the Synagogue of Nazareth opening the Book of Isaiah he proclaimed publicly that He came to liberate the captives: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4, 18-19).
3.2 Lamb of God
John the Baptist testified this by announcing that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of mankind. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 2,29).
3.3 Liberation from PrisonKing Herod arrested Peter and put him in prison. The church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him (Acts 12, 1-10).
3.4 Release of Paul
It was midnight. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole household (Acts 16,25-34).
3.5 Prison to Palace
The Lord God always had a special concern for those who are imprisoned. This is evident from the story of Joseph whom He liberated from dungeon and elevated to the Governor of Egypt. Joseph’s brothers sold him and his master put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer (Gen 39:20-23). The hands of the Lord were with Joseph and He blessed Joseph and made him the Governor of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way”. He put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (Gen 41,39-43).
3.6 Liberation from Incarceration
Jeremiah was put into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. In the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. But God inspired Ebed-melech the Ethiopian and sent him to the king. He spoke to the king, saying, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city” (Jer 38:6-28).
3.7 PMI Ministries Outside Prison
4. Repent
Jesus began his public life preaching the message of conversion and repentance. “The time has come; the kingdom of God has come near Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk,1,15). The most difficult and important task in prison ministry is to lead prisoners to repentance and forgiveness.
4.1 Delight of RepentanceThe tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to hear Jesus. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Lk 15, 1-7).
4.2 Rejoice Over RepentanceA woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15, 8-10).
4.3 Book of Revelation
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place (Rev 2, 4-5).
5. Reconciliation
True repentance will lead reconciliation, which is the restoration of lost relations that involves a change in the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes that there has been a breakdown in the relationship, but there has been a change from a state of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship. Jesus gives great significance to reconciliation: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (Mt 5,23).
5.1 St Paul
St Paul teaches us that reconciliation is a ministry and we all shall be its ambassadors. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5, 18-21).
5.2 Neither Do I Condemn You
One day while Jesus was preaching the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” He stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Jn 8,1-10).
6. Reformation
Release, repentance, and reconciliation shall lead to the reformation of a prisoner. The word reformation meant restoring to the normally straight condition that which is crooked or bent. This is a process of bringing back to the normal behavior and lifestyle or the rectification of conditions or setting things to rights. Most important mystery in the reformation of a released prisoner is the unconditional and forgiving love of Jesus. The released prisoner has to experience this through the PMI volunteer.
As Prophet Isaiah tells us released prisoner shall be convinced that God’s love for us is far greater than that of our mother: “Eve if your mother forgets you, I will not forget you “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Is 49, 15-16). The release, repentance, reconciliation shall lead the prisoner to awaken from sleep and to respond to salvation (Rom 13,11). “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Eph 5,14). When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you (Proverbs 6,22).
PMI has many means to reform prisoners such as sacramental and liturgical celebrations, retreat, prayer services. When they come to rehabilitation centers, they are taken to different retreat centers to attend indifferent types of retreats according to their needs.
7. Rehabilitation
One of the major goals of Prison Ministry India is the rehabilitation of released prisoners. PMI has many such centers in different Indian states. Find below some of the PMI rehabilitation centers for released prisoners.
7.1 The PMI Rehabilitation Centers for Men
1) Snehashramam, Vettukad PO, Thrissur 680 014, Kerala; Director – Fr Sunil, Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ), Tel. 7558914919; Estd 1 October 1991.
2) Santhinivas, Pathadipalam, Changampuzha PO, Edappally - 682033 Kerala; Director – Fr Binoy, Claretian Congregation (CMF) Tel. 9961272928; Estd 6 August 1995.
3) Snehatheeram, Market Road, YMCA, Alappuzha – 688 001, Kerala; Director - Fr Thobias, Tel 9526389005.
4) Kolbe Home for Released Men Prisoners, KG Kandigai, Tirutanni 631205, Tamilnadu, Director - Fr Thomas, Society of St Eugene De Mazenod (SDM), Tel 894 080 3689, Estd 2017.
7.2 The PMI Rehabilitation Centers for Women
1) Snehashramam, Monvila, Kulathoor PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695583, Kerala; Director – Sr Beena, Sisters of the Poor of St Catherine of Sienna (SDP) Tel 8078818239; Estd 11 October 1992.
2) Ashadeepam, Vettukad PO, Thrissur 680014, Kerala; Director - Sr Ajita, John the Baptist Sisters (SJB) Tel 994320488, Estd 16 February 1993.
3) Jeevodaya Ashram for Women, Daddakannalli, Janatha Colony, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore 560035, Karnataka, Director – Sr Clara, Holy Cross Congregation, Tel. 0802 843 9926; Estd 22 January 1995.
4) Karunasadan, Kannur, Kerala, Ursulines Mary Immaculate (UMI), Estd 2004.
5) Vishwa Jyothi, Guntur Andra Pradesh, Sisters of St Anne’s of Guntur (CSSA), Estd 2004.
6) Ashadeepam, Bhopal, Madya Pradesh, Bhopal Archdiocese, Estd 2005.
7) Arkisha Kendra, Thane, Maharashtra, Sisters of Ursulines of Mary Immaculate (UMI), Estd 2006.
7.3 PMI Homes for Prisoners’ Children - Boys
1) Snehadeepam, Inchiyani, Kanjirappilly Kottayam 686512, Kerala. Director – Sr Beena, Holy Spirit Congregation, Tel. 94479 33675, Estd 3 July 1994.
2) Kolbe Home, 52 Thomas Layout, Sarjapur Road, Carmelaram, Bangalore -560035, Karnataka. Director – Sr Gertrude, Satya Seva Catechist Sisters (SCS) Tel 8296304931, Estd 2016.
7.4 PMI Homes for Prisoners’ Children - Girls
1) Asha Sadan, A 43, Sector 33, Noida, UP 201 303, Franciscan Clarist Congregation, Estd 3 May 1977.
2) Karunyashram, Thoppil, Thrikkakkara PO, Kochi 682021, Kerala, Director – Sr Anne Maria from Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) Tel. 04842 425270; Estd 8 January 1999.
3) Premodaya, St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, St John’s Church Road, Bangalore 560 005, Karnataka; Director – Sr Raji, Sisters of St Anne’s, Tel. 080 555 4683.
4) Jeevan Jyothy, St Joseph’s Convent, Anavilasam PO, Idukki – 685535, Kerala, Director – Sr Savio, Augustinian Congregation, Tel 9747627889.
5) Bonal Bhavan, Kadumeni PO, Kasargod – 670511, Kerala, Director – Sr Tresa Chacko, Sisters of Charity of St Anne, Tel 8606350100.
6) Marie Pushpan’s Home, Ranchi, Jharkand, Director – Sr Jini, Order of Dominicans (OP), Tel 7254043957, Estd 2017.
8. Reintegration
Reclamation aims at regaining the lost image, esteem, personality, and property and thereby return to the mainstream of the society by living like a responsible citizen. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people (Gen 14,14-16). The released prisoner after going through the different stages of reformation such as release, repentance, reconciliation, reawakening and rehabilitation will come back with renewed vigor and vitality to lead a powerful life witnessing Christ.
8.1 Sinner to Saint
It was to Mary Magdalene who was a great sinner but converted that Jesus first appeared after his resurrection. On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her (John 20:1-5). Paul the great missionary wrote to Timothy that the Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is chief. For a righteous man one would scarcely die, if you are truly a good man some might dare to die for you, but God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.
9. Redemption
9.1 Fulfilment of Promise
The promise given in the garden of Eden was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Jesus was born to give us the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of our sins and through the tender mercy of our God. Jesus the rising sun incarnated to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the path of peace (Lk 1,77-79). Before Jesus was ever born the angel told Joseph that the child conceived by the Holy Spirit would save His people from their sins.
9.2 Regaining Paradise
The last stage of prisoners’ reformation trajectory is Redemption. The prisoner returns to God and paradise from where he came to this world. The good thief on the cross can be the best example for this. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk 23, 39-43).
9.3 Crucifixion of Christ
This redemption comes to us through Jesus Christ who willingly became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:7-8). He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2). At Calvary the old serpent, the Devil (Rev 12:9) inflicted a painful wound on the woman’s Seed and must have rejoiced greatly as His body was laid in the tomb. But having suffered for our sins, the promise made in the Garden of Eden was fulfilled by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18) inflicting a mortal wound on the serpent by rising on the third day! Conquering both sin and death, the Jesus fulfilled the prophecy first promised by God in the garden of Eden.
9.4 Prison Visit
In the last judgement the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25,34-38).
9.5 Remember Prisoners
Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Heb 13,1-3).
10. Jesus, The Redeemer
If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2, 1-2). Saul, breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he approached Damascus suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied (Acts 9,4-5). By committing sins and crime we persecute Jesus who came to seek and save the lost. But Jesus still loves us. He died for us on the cross to save us. He shed His blood to sanctify us. As promised in the garden of Eden God sent His Son Jesus Christ to us. He so loved the world, to the extent that He gave His Son to save those lives ruined by sin, to restore them again to His original intent, to give them a life full of meaning and purpose and thereby to redeem them. Jesus came to call the sinners to change from their empty futile lives to a life that was rich and fulfilling. He came to restore man back to the image of God so that the original intent of his existence might be fulfilled.
10.1 Mary, Mediatrix of Sinners
Mary, Mother of Jesus is a mediatrix between God and sinners. She finds peace for enemies, salvation for the lost, mercy for those who are in despair. Mary has no other ministry in heaven than that of peace and pardon. Hence St Andrew Avellino calls her the pleader of Paradise. She stands in the presence of her Son, praying unceasingly for sinners. Where ever and whenever she appeared, she asked to pray rosary for the conversion of sinners. Together with Mary PMI volunteers pray rosary for the release, reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners.
The first parents disobeyed God’s commandment and committed sin. When Eve, the first woman saw the fruit of the tree was good, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took and ate it. She also gave it to her husband, and he also ate it. Then their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked; (Gen 3, 6-7). Thus, Adam and Eve became the first lost couple. They have billions of followers even today. The number of sinners and criminals such as terrorists, hired killers, murderers, rapists, prostitutes, robbers, cheaters, deceivers, is multiplying every day. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold (Mt 24,12).
1.1 The Promise
Though God punished the first parents he assured them a redeemer. He said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, ‘cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel’” (Gen 3,14-15).
1.2 Seek and Save the Lost
Jesus, the redeemer of the lost succinctly declared that he came to seek and save the lost. One day He was passing through Jericho. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. He came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Lk 19,1-10).
1.3 Lost and FoundAfter squandering his wealth in wild living and longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and when no one gave him anything, the prodigal son came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ He got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ They began to celebrate (Lk 15,11-24).
2. Reachout
Jesus’ style of action was to go out to the peripheries and outreach the lost, the least, and the last such as the marginalized, the oppressed, the neglected and rejected of the society. He went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness (Mt 9,35). Following the footprints of Jesus PMI volunteers go out to the peripheries in search of the lost to places like prisons, rescue homes, juvenile homes, observation homes and so on.
2.1 Reaching out Sinners
One day Jesus went to the tax booth. He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk, 2, 13-17).
2.2 To Carry the Burdens of the Lost
Outreaching the lost, Jesus expresses readiness to carry their burdens. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11,28).
2.3 Give Me a Drink
Jesus was going through Samaria. He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of Jacob. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”. The conversation began with this begging led to her conversion and the conversion of her village (Jn 4, 1-15).
2.4 Caring Love for the LostCriticizing the irresponsible behavior of the shepherds of the time, God speaks through prophet Ezekiel “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. I will shepherd the flock with justice” (Ezk 34, 16).
2.5 PMI Ministries Inside the Prison
- Celebrating Sacraments to Catholic Prisoners
- Conducting Spiritual Discourses and Moral Instructions
- Organizing Cultural and Entertainment Programs
- Arranging Counseling and Spiritual Directions
- Writing Letters of Personal Concern and Healing the Broken Hearts
- Setting-up of a Good Library for Mental Growth
- Establishing Job-oriented Training Programs
- Providing Vocational Training Facilities
- Steering Literary, Arts and Sports Competitions
- Preparing Prisoners to Write School and University Exams
- Conducting Medical Camps
- Providing Free Legal Aid
- Releasing Prisoners
3. Release
Jesus outreached many of the lost sheep and set them free from their bondages. He went to the tax booth of Levi and made him his disciple. He went to Zacchaeus’ family and liberated him from his bondages. PMI volunteers visit prisons and release them by means of legal aid, legal clinics and through government agencies and financial assistance.
3.1 Liberty to Captives
Jesus was very clear and convinced about the purpose of His birth. Going to the Synagogue of Nazareth opening the Book of Isaiah he proclaimed publicly that He came to liberate the captives: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4, 18-19).
3.2 Lamb of God
John the Baptist testified this by announcing that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of mankind. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 2,29).
3.3 Liberation from PrisonKing Herod arrested Peter and put him in prison. The church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him (Acts 12, 1-10).
3.4 Release of Paul
It was midnight. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole household (Acts 16,25-34).
3.5 Prison to Palace
The Lord God always had a special concern for those who are imprisoned. This is evident from the story of Joseph whom He liberated from dungeon and elevated to the Governor of Egypt. Joseph’s brothers sold him and his master put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer (Gen 39:20-23). The hands of the Lord were with Joseph and He blessed Joseph and made him the Governor of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way”. He put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (Gen 41,39-43).
3.6 Liberation from Incarceration
Jeremiah was put into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. In the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. But God inspired Ebed-melech the Ethiopian and sent him to the king. He spoke to the king, saying, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city” (Jer 38:6-28).
3.7 PMI Ministries Outside Prison
- Establishing Rehabilitation Centers for Released Male and Female Prisoners
- Establishing Homes and Educational Assistance for Prisoners’ Children
- Establishing Research and Documentation Centers
- Organizing Volunteers Training Programs
- Counseling and Moral Instructions in Rehabilitation Centers
- Contacting Families for Reconciliation and Forgiveness
- Treatment to the Sick
- Reconciliation of Prisoners with Victims and their Families
- Helping the Children of Prisoners with their Education
- Marriage Settlement
- Vocational Training and Job Settlement
- Conducting Awareness Programs for the General Public
- Printing Literature like Books, Magazines, brochures, etc.
4. Repent
Jesus began his public life preaching the message of conversion and repentance. “The time has come; the kingdom of God has come near Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk,1,15). The most difficult and important task in prison ministry is to lead prisoners to repentance and forgiveness.
4.1 Delight of RepentanceThe tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to hear Jesus. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Lk 15, 1-7).
4.2 Rejoice Over RepentanceA woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15, 8-10).
4.3 Book of Revelation
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place (Rev 2, 4-5).
5. Reconciliation
True repentance will lead reconciliation, which is the restoration of lost relations that involves a change in the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes that there has been a breakdown in the relationship, but there has been a change from a state of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship. Jesus gives great significance to reconciliation: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (Mt 5,23).
5.1 St Paul
St Paul teaches us that reconciliation is a ministry and we all shall be its ambassadors. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5, 18-21).
5.2 Neither Do I Condemn You
One day while Jesus was preaching the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” He stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Jn 8,1-10).
6. Reformation
Release, repentance, and reconciliation shall lead to the reformation of a prisoner. The word reformation meant restoring to the normally straight condition that which is crooked or bent. This is a process of bringing back to the normal behavior and lifestyle or the rectification of conditions or setting things to rights. Most important mystery in the reformation of a released prisoner is the unconditional and forgiving love of Jesus. The released prisoner has to experience this through the PMI volunteer.
As Prophet Isaiah tells us released prisoner shall be convinced that God’s love for us is far greater than that of our mother: “Eve if your mother forgets you, I will not forget you “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Is 49, 15-16). The release, repentance, reconciliation shall lead the prisoner to awaken from sleep and to respond to salvation (Rom 13,11). “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Eph 5,14). When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you (Proverbs 6,22).
PMI has many means to reform prisoners such as sacramental and liturgical celebrations, retreat, prayer services. When they come to rehabilitation centers, they are taken to different retreat centers to attend indifferent types of retreats according to their needs.
7. Rehabilitation
One of the major goals of Prison Ministry India is the rehabilitation of released prisoners. PMI has many such centers in different Indian states. Find below some of the PMI rehabilitation centers for released prisoners.
7.1 The PMI Rehabilitation Centers for Men
1) Snehashramam, Vettukad PO, Thrissur 680 014, Kerala; Director – Fr Sunil, Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ), Tel. 7558914919; Estd 1 October 1991.
2) Santhinivas, Pathadipalam, Changampuzha PO, Edappally - 682033 Kerala; Director – Fr Binoy, Claretian Congregation (CMF) Tel. 9961272928; Estd 6 August 1995.
3) Snehatheeram, Market Road, YMCA, Alappuzha – 688 001, Kerala; Director - Fr Thobias, Tel 9526389005.
4) Kolbe Home for Released Men Prisoners, KG Kandigai, Tirutanni 631205, Tamilnadu, Director - Fr Thomas, Society of St Eugene De Mazenod (SDM), Tel 894 080 3689, Estd 2017.
7.2 The PMI Rehabilitation Centers for Women
1) Snehashramam, Monvila, Kulathoor PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695583, Kerala; Director – Sr Beena, Sisters of the Poor of St Catherine of Sienna (SDP) Tel 8078818239; Estd 11 October 1992.
2) Ashadeepam, Vettukad PO, Thrissur 680014, Kerala; Director - Sr Ajita, John the Baptist Sisters (SJB) Tel 994320488, Estd 16 February 1993.
3) Jeevodaya Ashram for Women, Daddakannalli, Janatha Colony, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore 560035, Karnataka, Director – Sr Clara, Holy Cross Congregation, Tel. 0802 843 9926; Estd 22 January 1995.
4) Karunasadan, Kannur, Kerala, Ursulines Mary Immaculate (UMI), Estd 2004.
5) Vishwa Jyothi, Guntur Andra Pradesh, Sisters of St Anne’s of Guntur (CSSA), Estd 2004.
6) Ashadeepam, Bhopal, Madya Pradesh, Bhopal Archdiocese, Estd 2005.
7) Arkisha Kendra, Thane, Maharashtra, Sisters of Ursulines of Mary Immaculate (UMI), Estd 2006.
7.3 PMI Homes for Prisoners’ Children - Boys
1) Snehadeepam, Inchiyani, Kanjirappilly Kottayam 686512, Kerala. Director – Sr Beena, Holy Spirit Congregation, Tel. 94479 33675, Estd 3 July 1994.
2) Kolbe Home, 52 Thomas Layout, Sarjapur Road, Carmelaram, Bangalore -560035, Karnataka. Director – Sr Gertrude, Satya Seva Catechist Sisters (SCS) Tel 8296304931, Estd 2016.
7.4 PMI Homes for Prisoners’ Children - Girls
1) Asha Sadan, A 43, Sector 33, Noida, UP 201 303, Franciscan Clarist Congregation, Estd 3 May 1977.
2) Karunyashram, Thoppil, Thrikkakkara PO, Kochi 682021, Kerala, Director – Sr Anne Maria from Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) Tel. 04842 425270; Estd 8 January 1999.
3) Premodaya, St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, St John’s Church Road, Bangalore 560 005, Karnataka; Director – Sr Raji, Sisters of St Anne’s, Tel. 080 555 4683.
4) Jeevan Jyothy, St Joseph’s Convent, Anavilasam PO, Idukki – 685535, Kerala, Director – Sr Savio, Augustinian Congregation, Tel 9747627889.
5) Bonal Bhavan, Kadumeni PO, Kasargod – 670511, Kerala, Director – Sr Tresa Chacko, Sisters of Charity of St Anne, Tel 8606350100.
6) Marie Pushpan’s Home, Ranchi, Jharkand, Director – Sr Jini, Order of Dominicans (OP), Tel 7254043957, Estd 2017.
8. Reintegration
Reclamation aims at regaining the lost image, esteem, personality, and property and thereby return to the mainstream of the society by living like a responsible citizen. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people (Gen 14,14-16). The released prisoner after going through the different stages of reformation such as release, repentance, reconciliation, reawakening and rehabilitation will come back with renewed vigor and vitality to lead a powerful life witnessing Christ.
8.1 Sinner to Saint
It was to Mary Magdalene who was a great sinner but converted that Jesus first appeared after his resurrection. On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her (John 20:1-5). Paul the great missionary wrote to Timothy that the Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is chief. For a righteous man one would scarcely die, if you are truly a good man some might dare to die for you, but God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.
9. Redemption
9.1 Fulfilment of Promise
The promise given in the garden of Eden was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Jesus was born to give us the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of our sins and through the tender mercy of our God. Jesus the rising sun incarnated to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the path of peace (Lk 1,77-79). Before Jesus was ever born the angel told Joseph that the child conceived by the Holy Spirit would save His people from their sins.
9.2 Regaining Paradise
The last stage of prisoners’ reformation trajectory is Redemption. The prisoner returns to God and paradise from where he came to this world. The good thief on the cross can be the best example for this. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk 23, 39-43).
9.3 Crucifixion of Christ
This redemption comes to us through Jesus Christ who willingly became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:7-8). He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2). At Calvary the old serpent, the Devil (Rev 12:9) inflicted a painful wound on the woman’s Seed and must have rejoiced greatly as His body was laid in the tomb. But having suffered for our sins, the promise made in the Garden of Eden was fulfilled by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18) inflicting a mortal wound on the serpent by rising on the third day! Conquering both sin and death, the Jesus fulfilled the prophecy first promised by God in the garden of Eden.
9.4 Prison Visit
In the last judgement the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25,34-38).
9.5 Remember Prisoners
Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Heb 13,1-3).
10. Jesus, The Redeemer
If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2, 1-2). Saul, breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he approached Damascus suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied (Acts 9,4-5). By committing sins and crime we persecute Jesus who came to seek and save the lost. But Jesus still loves us. He died for us on the cross to save us. He shed His blood to sanctify us. As promised in the garden of Eden God sent His Son Jesus Christ to us. He so loved the world, to the extent that He gave His Son to save those lives ruined by sin, to restore them again to His original intent, to give them a life full of meaning and purpose and thereby to redeem them. Jesus came to call the sinners to change from their empty futile lives to a life that was rich and fulfilling. He came to restore man back to the image of God so that the original intent of his existence might be fulfilled.
10.1 Mary, Mediatrix of Sinners
Mary, Mother of Jesus is a mediatrix between God and sinners. She finds peace for enemies, salvation for the lost, mercy for those who are in despair. Mary has no other ministry in heaven than that of peace and pardon. Hence St Andrew Avellino calls her the pleader of Paradise. She stands in the presence of her Son, praying unceasingly for sinners. Where ever and whenever she appeared, she asked to pray rosary for the conversion of sinners. Together with Mary PMI volunteers pray rosary for the release, reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners.