Visiting people in Prison

[aspen]

Part of my job at the drop in center that I work at is to go and visit the kids who have been arrested. I have never visited anyone in prison and I am looking forward to the opportunity (I have to go through training at the county jail) - does anyone here have experience ministering to people in prison?

 

[dragonfly]

I think you probably need someone who's done it in the US to answer you.

I once asked an old lady about her prison ministry, which began many years ago. She came to the Lord late in life just after her husband left her, and met the Lord soon after. Then she was invited to visit prisoners, and hasn't stopped since. She reports that her first encounter was with a few lads all together in one room. Smiling, she took a deep breath and asked, 'Well boys, what brings you here?' I've always thought that was a brilliant opener, because it gave them the opportunity to be heard, and gave her the pointers she needed to make the gospel relevant to each of them.

I've read some horrific things about what happens in prisons, and it certainly seems to be a place where some people can lose hope very quickly, and become suicidal. This - and the loneliness that some people feel keenly, through being isolated from friends and family - would seem to mean that you will probably be welcome at heart level, even though you may feel frustrated by some of the safeguards, while at the same time as appreciating the reason for them. I'm sure you will be challenged by the number of career criminals, and kids from 'criminal' families who just go round and round the system. I met guys who felt safer in prison, so every time they were released, they were aiming to get back in asap, as they had nothing going for them outside. Sorry. This is a bit bleak. There are, of course, men who meet the Lord in prison, and go on to serve Him faithfully.

 

[Foreigner]

Our church has a very strong jail / prison outreach.

The key is simply to listen.
The opportunity to witness is key but can wait and will be better received if you simply just talk to them and establish a relationship.
Let them talk about their past, their families, their concerns, their regrets, their hopes,
If they are getting out soon, offer to meet with them for coffee or give them a ride somewhere if they need it.
If they are going to be in for awhile, ask if you can visit with them the next time you are there then actually do it.
When you do visit with them, mention something you remember from the last visit so they can see you actually are paying attention.
If the facility allows it, bring them reading materials, baked goods, games, whatever.

Inmates see an awful lot of hit-and-run visits by people who they can tell are doing it for reasons other than true compassion.
If you show yourself to be different, with continued sincere contact over the days, weeks, etc. you will have a real opportunity to change their lives.

And the bigger key you already know: Prayer
Pray before going in.
Pray while you are there.
Get their names and lift them up in your personal prayer and ask others within your church to lift them up.

Our church has a large number of former inmates and their families in the congregation.
Some of the turnarounds they have had are nothing short of miraculous.
Several have spoken before church detailing their heartbreaks and how God made them whole.

Some facilities actually allow former prisoners to come in and visit current prisoners.
Some are now "giving back" by going to the local jails and sharing the gospel.

 

[aspen]

Our church has a very strong jail / prison outreach.

The key is simply to listen.
The opportunity to witness is key but can wait and will be better received if you simply just talk to them and establish a relationship.
Let them talk about their past, their families, their concerns, their regrets, their hopes,
If they are getting out soon, offer to meet with them for coffee or give them a ride somewhere if they need it.
If they are going to be in for awhile, ask if you can visit with them the next time you are there then actually do it.
When you do visit with them, mention something you remember from the last visit so they can see you actually are paying attention.
If the facility allows it, bring them reading materials, baked goods, games, whatever.

Inmates see an awful lot of hit-and-run visits by people who they can tell are doing it for reasons other than true compassion.
If you show yourself to be different, with continued sincere contact over the days, weeks, etc. you will have a real opportunity to change their lives.

And the bigger key you already know: Prayer
Pray before going in.
Pray while you are there.
Get their names and lift them up in your personal prayer and ask others within your church to lift them up.

Our church has a large number of former inmates and their families in the congregation.
Some of the turnarounds they have had are nothing short of miraculous.
Several have spoken before church detailing their heartbreaks and how God made them whole.

Some facilities actually allow former prisoners to come in and visit current prisoners.
Some are now "giving back" by going to the local jails and sharing the gospel.

Thanks for your post. The best part about this ministry is that we already have a relationship with the kids and often times they write to us from jail and ask for the visit. Let me tell you, jail has a sobering affect on them. Prayer is definitely the key.