Joshua Bennett
Surviving prison is a challenging and disheartening experience, and it can be even more difficult for those who are Catholic. Prison culture can be toxic, and fighting is often a part of it. However, there are ways to endure and even thrive during incarceration. Cardinal Pell, who spent 13 months in prison, credited the Gospel and his faith for helping him survive. He emphasized the importance of routine and regular exercise, as well as offering five suggestions for dealing with emotional hardship. Additionally, staying connected with loved ones and maintaining one's relationship with God are crucial for survival. Befriending the chaplain or working with the prison ministry can also provide protection and support. While prison life is tough, it is possible to survive and grow stronger in one's Catholic faith during this challenging time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prison survival guide | Prison Fellowship® has created a unique guide for prisoners who want to make the most of their time behind bars. |
| Prison culture | Prison culture can be a toxic environment. |
| Religion | Prison is another form of school—that is, a chance to learn something. If we learn how to live with God while in prison, there's a good chance we can do it in the free world. |
| Catholic approach | A Catholic approach begins with the recognition that the dignity of the human person applies to both victim and offender. |
| Prison survival | Prison survival means not just getting through prison with body and soul intact but staying out of prison for the rest of your life. |
| Prison life | If a Catholic goes to prison, he should mind his own business, not gamble or use drugs, and avoid friendships outside of the church group. |
| Prison jobs | Befriend the chaplain/try to work as an orderly for the prison ministry. |
| Prison survival tips | Eat, exercise, and endure your time behind bars. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep your faith and join a Catholic group
Keeping your faith while in prison can be challenging, but it can also be a great source of strength and comfort. Joining a Catholic group in prison can provide a sense of community and support, helping you to stay connected to your beliefs and values. Here are some ways to keep your faith and join a Catholic group while incarcerated:
Find a Catholic Group in Prison
Firstly, look for Catholic groups or ministries already operating within the prison. These groups usually gather for prayer, Bible studies, or other religious activities. They may also have Catholic literature or Bibles available for you to use. Reach out to the prison chaplain or clergy, who can guide you on how to join these groups and offer spiritual support.
Attend Services and Events
Attend Catholic services and religious events held within the prison. These can include Masses, prayer services, or sacramental programs. Attending these events will allow you to connect with other Catholics and strengthen your faith. It also provides an opportunity to speak with the priest or chaplain, who can offer spiritual guidance and support throughout your incarceration.
Befriend the Chaplain
Building a positive relationship with the prison chaplain or clergy can be beneficial. They can provide spiritual counsel and help you navigate any challenges you may face while adhering to your faith. They may also be able to connect you with other Catholic inmates or groups within the prison.
Join a Prison Ministry
Consider joining a prison ministry, such as the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC). These ministries provide resources and support to incarcerated Catholics. They often offer programs and events that can help you grow in your faith and connect with others who share your beliefs.
Stay Connected with Your Faith
Continue practicing your Catholic faith as much as possible while in prison. This may include praying regularly, reading the Bible, or engaging in personal devotions. These practices can provide comfort and a sense of familiarity during your incarceration.
Remember, staying connected to your faith and joining a Catholic group in prison can provide a sense of community, support, and spiritual growth during a challenging time. These groups can help you navigate the prison environment while staying true to your beliefs and values.
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Avoid conflict, drugs, and gambling
While in prison, it is generally advisable to avoid conflict, drugs, and gambling. Here are some ways to do this:
Avoiding Conflict
Conflict can arise in prison due to various reasons, and it is essential to navigate these situations carefully. While it is important to stand up for yourself and others, especially in cases of defending the weak, it is also wise to choose your battles carefully. Keeping to yourself and avoiding drama can be a strategy to minimize potential conflict. Befriending the chaplain or working with the prison ministry can also provide some protection, as those who work closely with the clergy are often left alone by other prisoners.
Avoiding Drugs
Drug use and trade are prevalent in many prisons, and it is crucial to steer clear of any involvement. Drugs not only compromise your health and well-being but also often lead to further entanglements and conflicts. It is important to remember that drug use is incompatible with Catholic teachings, as it undermines personal responsibility, community, and redemption.
Avoiding Gambling
Gambling can be a significant issue in prison, and it is wise to refrain from any form of gambling to avoid potential pitfalls. While Catholics recognize that staking money on a game of chance is not inherently sinful, it becomes morally questionable when certain conditions are not met. These conditions include the gambler acting freely and without unjust compulsion, the absence of fraud, and equality between the parties involved. Gambling can arouse a keen excitement that develops into a difficult-to-control passion, leading to loss of time and money, and an idle lifestyle. Therefore, it is best to avoid gambling altogether while in prison.
Surviving prison as a Catholic can be challenging, but focusing on your faith and staying clear of conflict, drugs, and gambling can help you navigate this difficult period.
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Stay healthy and exercise
Staying healthy and exercising are crucial aspects of surviving prison and maintaining physical and mental health. Prisoners are advised to spend at least an hour each day working out to take care of their physical and mental well-being. This can include using cardio equipment and strength machines, such as treadmills, rowers, bikes, and weight benches.
It is important for prisoners to maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, as they tend to spend a lot of time lying down and being inactive. There are three main types of exercises that can be done in prison:
- Stretching: This helps to improve mobility, flexibility, and balance while reducing the risk of muscle strain.
- Resistance: This type of exercise helps to build muscle. Prisoners can use the weight room if available, or perform simple resistance activities such as push-ups and sit-ups in their cells or the yard.
- Aerobic: Aerobic exercises get the heart and lungs pumping and can include walking or jogging for a minimum of 20 minutes per day.
In addition to exercise, eating right is crucial for maintaining good health in prison. Prisoners should remember that their meals are paid for by taxpayers, and they may not receive luxurious or expensive food. Developing healthy eating habits in prison can also help establish good habits that can be carried over into life after prison.
Cardinal Pell, who spent 13 months in prison, emphasized the importance of regular exercise and creating good habits of mind and practice during his incarceration. He also mentioned that prayer was a great source of strength for him during his time in prison.
It is also worth noting that staying healthy and exercising in prison can help reduce the risk of depression and improve mental health. Exercise provides inmates with a chance to enjoy fresh air and a change of scenery from their cells, which is beneficial for their overall well-being.
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Maintain relationships with the outside world
Maintaining relationships with the outside world while in prison can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are some ways to keep those connections strong:
Correspondence and Visits
Prisoners can maintain relationships through correspondence and visits. Inmates can write letters to their loved ones, and with persistence and vulnerability, they can nurture meaningful connections. However, it is important to manage expectations and understand that those on the outside have busy lives and may not always be able to respond with lengthy letters. Inmates can also receive visits from loved ones, which can provide emotional support and a sense of connection to the outside world. Some prisons may offer video visitation or allow in-person visits, providing opportunities for face-to-face interaction.
Religious and Spiritual Support
For Catholic prisoners, maintaining their faith and spiritual practices can be a source of comfort and connection. They can seek support from prison chaplains, attend religious services, and participate in prison ministries. These activities can provide a sense of community and spiritual fulfillment, as well as potential protection from other inmates, as individuals who work closely with religious figures within the prison may be left alone by other prisoners. Additionally, parishes outside the prison often have prison outreach programs, and volunteers from these programs may visit and provide support to prisoners.
Family and Community Involvement
Maintaining family and community connections is crucial for prisoners' well-being and their eventual reintegration into society. Parishes and Catholic organizations can play a vital role in supporting not only the prisoners but also their families, especially during incarceration and upon their release. Mentoring programs and community re-entry initiatives can assist former inmates in rebuilding their lives and reconnecting with their communities.
Practical Considerations
To receive visits or correspondence, prisoners typically need to provide the names of their desired visitors to the prison authorities. Visitors may need to undergo background checks and training before being allowed entry. It is important to be aware of and comply with the security measures and regulations of the specific prison to ensure a smooth process for maintaining outside relationships.
While maintaining relationships from prison can be challenging, it is not impossible. By cultivating patience, vulnerability, and persistence, prisoners can nurture meaningful connections that can provide emotional support and a sense of community during their incarceration.
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Forgive others, but defend yourself if necessary
Forgiving others is an important tenet of Catholicism. Jesus made it clear that we must be willing to forgive. In Sirach 27:30–28:7, the author states, "Forgive your neighbour's injustice, then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven." This teaching is echoed by Jesus in the Parable of the Wicked Servant in Matthew 18:21–35. Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 3:13, Paul writes, "Forgive each other as the Lord has forgiven us."
However, this does not mean that Catholics should not defend themselves if necessary. While vengeance is not condoned, Catholics are allowed to defend themselves and the weak. In prison, fighting may be inevitable, and it is important to stand up for yourself if necessary. This is supported by the example of King David, who defended himself and was loved by God.
It is important to note that forgiveness does not always mean forgetting or restoring the relationship to how it was before. Even if someone's ill feelings go away, they may not want to treat the offender in the same way, especially if trust has been broken. For example, someone who has committed heinous crimes, such as terrorism or child molestation, may be forgiven, but they cannot be trusted or treated as if they had never committed those crimes.
Additionally, forgiveness does not have to be immediate or based solely on feelings. We cannot control our emotions, but we can manage and influence them. Instead of trying to force ourselves to feel a certain way, we can focus on other things, such as the good that God can bring about from the situation or the lessons we can learn.
In summary, as a Catholic in prison, it is important to forgive others, but also to stand up for yourself if necessary. Defending yourself does not contradict the principle of forgiveness, as long as it is done without vengeance and with a willingness to eventually let go of anger and forgive.
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Frequently asked questions
Prison can be a toxic environment, but it is possible to live a genuine Christian life behind bars. It is important to remember that God is with you and to trust Him. Joining your suffering to Jesus' and offering it to God can help you redeem your suffering. Prayer can be a great source of strength, and keeping in touch with loved ones on the outside can also help.
Prison fights are not uncommon, and it is important to be able to defend yourself. However, do not inflict harm as vengeance for wrongdoing. Befriending the chaplain or working for the prison ministry can help you be seen as an exemplary person.
You can attend Bible studies, ask questions on matters of Catholic doctrine and practice, and participate in discussions. You can also distribute pamphlets, prayer cards, and rosaries to other inmates.
Prison survival does not end when you get out of prison. You will have to learn how to live by another set of values to stay out of prison. This may include finding a place to live, getting a job, and learning how to manage your finances.
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