I Went To Prison | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

I Went To Prison

It shook every expectation

40
I Went To Prison
Pixabay

Boasting both one of the longest cellhouses in the world and the last panopticon "roundhouse" in the world (the latter reportedly scheduled to be shut down later this year), Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum security state prison in Crest Hill, IL. It has the capacity to host over 4,000 of the nation's approximate 7,000,000 incarcerated people. I had the extraordinary opportunity to interact with a few dozen of these thousands of men within the facility on various levels this week when I visited with my Communication class to prepare for a project with Wheaton College's Institute for Prison Ministries.

Walking into the front door, one does not get a very accurate picture of just how large and systematic the complex is, as can be seen in the image above. Quite the opposite effect is more prevalent, as beautiful architecture hides the depravity found behind the many security gates.

I had never undergone a pat down before; honestly, I found it more uncomfortable than thorough. Our IDs were checked multiple times, but thankfully the process was streamlined for us due to the administrator of the program we were visiting through. I couldn't help but think of the mothers, wives, and children watching us in the waiting room, knowing they had to undergo much more questioning, processing, waiting, and even rejection than us who knows how often to see the men they care about.

Who were those men? Let me tell you first who they were not. They were not some abstract symbol of the evils of humanity. They were not animals who glare at and threaten everyone who walks by. They were not grieving madmen or hopeless maniacs. They were not unintelligent, unredeemable, God-forsaken people. They were, and are, the beloved of God, made in His image, suffering the consequences of free will employed to satisfy the same sinful nature found in every one of us. Am I making the argument they don't deserve to be there? By no means; at least, not all of them. There is a reason we have the incarceration system they do. But it is a well known fact that mass incarceration is a huge problem in the United States of America, the land of the free. We incarcerate more people than many other large countries combined. Why? Many believe it is because the system is focused on locking people up rather than rehabilitating them so we can let them out. Innocent people are put away, and corrupt attorneys do not face consequences for it.

This is coming from an aspiring criminal prosecutor. The system needs reform. That is not the question. The debate is what should be reformed? Is the system corrupt, or is it a tool that can be used by both good and bad people? The inmates of Stateville Correctional Center have their answer; do you?

It took over an hour to get through security, and a good twenty to thirty minutes to navigate the unorganized scheduling to find people to talk to. We ended up learning about the process of finding employment, budgeting minimal means, staying alive, creating and maintaining relationships, and seeking spiritual fulfillment over decades of incarceration from five clerks of the Chaplain's Office. They had been in prison for decades, some since their teens. All claimed to have found Christ, and explained how their faith now governed their present perspectives and future hopes and dreams. They expressed shame over their previous choices, knowing that their crimes landed them justly where they now are. They do not logically expect to ever leave, but they have hope that they will be used to further the Gospel both inside and outside the prison walls. I wish I had the time and words to provide a transcript of our hour and a half long dialogue, for the testimonies they shared were the definition of inspiring. I was honored to meet them, and challenged to confront my own view of what it means to have died to your old self and be found innocent by Christ.

When asked how we could be praying for them, the inmates unanimously said, "Pray that the innocent go free." After a pause, they added, "Pray that the guilty go free, too. Those who have found a new life in Jesus Christ, who have been forgiven of their sins and are looked at as innocent by God - pray that they go free." Since 2011, this has been the prayer of the believers in Stateville, and they have "prayed 132 people out of here so far."

Whatever that means to you, I join in their request. Remember the lost, whether they be innocent or guilty. Remember what God's justice is, and how He both reprimands and rehabilitates. Remember the blessing of freedom, and pray that the innocent go free.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

939
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

563
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199655
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20554
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments