Prison Routine; Prision rules; Prison Rights

Things happen in the prison baffling the sensibility of the people who know nothing or little about prison life, the routine and the thinking of those in authority. For example:

After weeks of teaching, answering questions and working with the inmates on this one prison eight men requested baptism. GREAT! Let’s get these guys changed into baptism garments and go straight into the water, just like church. Nope, doesn’t work that way.

First, get permission from the chaplain who has to talk to the warden. The chaplain gets permission, sets the date, gets a clearance from security, and if the inmate needs a change of clothes ( we baptized them in their underwear) a request has to made for those items. More permissions are granted that are subject to change with a change of subject.

Well, the chaplain gave his (there are some “HER” chaplains) permission and a date to do the baptism. There are some prisons that have pools in the chapel, some portable baptisteries BUT every unit doesn’t have a place to baptize at all. We’ve had to baptize in tanks and troughs that have been set up in showers, narrow halls and outside. We “bring in” the baptistery, set it up on the grass or sidewalk and fill it with water from a hose. Cold water.

The eight men, in this case, were ready. Everything was approved. The baptisms were going to take place outside on the Sunday that happened to be one of the coldest days of the year. The officer in charged said, “Too cold to baptize inmates outside with cold water.” He was right but I was deflated and so were the men.

Let’s start the process all over again: permission from chaplain, a new date, permission from the warden, authority notified, etc. you know the routine. But on Jan. 18th seven men were baptized into Christ. I (all) couldn’t be more happy. Would I do it all again? “YES.” Will I do it again? “HOPEFULLY SOON.” (next article will discuss why it is so complicated to do a simple baptism)

Ray Clyde