During my time in the prison ministry at Baviaanspoort Maximum and Medium prison, it struck me how many of the inmates have been abandoned by their families and friends from the outside.

 

This happened mostly because their family have not been changed by the life of Christ, and thus could not identify with this person, who is now speaking a language they don't understand.  Another aspect of the situation is the fact that their provision were through crime, and the person is no longer willing  to commit himself to a life of crime.

 

They have become unprofitable as far as earning a living is concerned.  They know, according to past experience, that it is very difficult, almost impossible to make a living after spending time in prison.  This situation is like a cancer eating at their insides, robbing them of hope and self esteem.  At all the counseling sessions, this was the first issue which had to be dealt with. They needed to be convinced of God's love for them, and that their spiritual walk is necessary for God to work in their family lives.

 

The personal isolation was not the only problem arising from the fact that they have been abandoned.  It also meant that they have been cut off from providing for their own personal needs.  This covers a wide range of materials, from toiletries to phone cards, stationery, stamps, reading material, study aids and many more.

 

It is true that many of the above are supplied by Correctional Services, but it is mostly not of proper quality.  It is just nicer to wash with a facecloth, instead of your underpants.

 

The people I am talking about, are reborn Christians, because they are the ones who allow the Gospel of Jesus to change their lives. They are also members of the body of Christ.  I would also like to bless the non-Christian needy, because many are drawn to the Father by His blessings.  After all, is that not how we got drawn to Him, by His blessings?

 

Another aspect of being abandoned by the outside world, manifests itself when an inmate becomes eligible for parole.  Apart from his good conduct, it is a requirement by the Correctional Services that such an inmate must have a support system on the outside.  This means, he must have an address to reside where he can be monitored for his parole conditions, and he has to have a means of supporting himself.  If all these requirements are not met, he has to remain in prison, and serve the rest of his sentence time in jail.  

 

This is a very difficult situation for such a person to handle.  He has made a total turnaround of his life, by accepting Jesus as his redeemer, thereby becoming part of the body of Christ, the authorities says he may leave prison, but society says he is not welcome.