Preaching in Prisons

by Cassiline 9 Replies latest jw experiences

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  Cassiline

  I recall as a child going with several brothers to the local prison so the brothers, normally elders could go in and preach to the prisoners.

  We as children would stay in the car for what seemed like hours while the brothers carried out whatever preaching work they deemed fit. This also included return visits.

  Does this still go on today? Do the brothers still visit inmates at prisons?
  As I also recall they only went to the male prison never the female prison.

  Was this because the sisters were not allowed to carry out this type of preaching work?

  Timeframe 1972-1976
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  out4good3

  Last I heard at least 10 years ago that was still going on. I had a relative that had to spend some time in the slammer for a little domestic thing and he was brought Bibles and litter-ature for studying by the brothers.
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  blondie

  Congregations whose territories include prisons still make arrangements with the prison authorities to preach to the prisoners. In some cases, a talk is advertised and given. In some cases, prisoners request visits and/or that bible study be conducted with them. Cell to cell witnessing is not allowed. All prisons have rules and procedures allowing prisoners to practice the religion of their choice, making the necessary dietary adjustments and even providing sweat lodges for Native Americans. Only "qualified" brothers selected by the BOE participate in these visits to prisons with male prisoners. No sisters participate due to the danger of forming an attachment to a prisoner.

  Because of that only sisters go to female prisons, but their activities are overseen by the BOE and once again must be done through the prison authorities according to their procedures.

  This may vary by state and by country but it is a basic framework for how JWs conduct the preaching work.
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  ZazuWitts

  Cassiline,

  I have some recollection of 'prison preaching' too.

  The years 1972-76 were, of course, when the U.S. was heavily involved in Vietnam. Many 'brothers' were in prison serving sentances for their refusal to serve or accept alternate service.

  I know in our local congregation, we had many who were serving time at Millcreek, W. Va. About every six weeks, a carload of males would make the trip there to see those JW's imprisoned from our area.

  I'm sure those men tried to start studies with other inmates. So it perhaps makes sense that the more 'mature' men in the congregation also 'witnessed' to any inmates who displayed interest in JW belief.

  Like you, I wonder if there are any current attempts to 'witness' in prisons. Personally, I doubt it - unless a prisoner has come in contact with JW literature and specifically requests a visit.

  As a side note, what is so horrid about all this now, is that so many men were imprisoned during the Vietnam era, and now should a similar draft be enforced, the young brothers' can apparently accept non-combatant alternative placement? If this is in any way true, I wonder how those young JW men who did serve time, feel about the change.

  I never heard about any women accompanying the men into the prison.
  Other than moms, girlfriends, biological sisters who were only having visitation with family members.
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  outnfree

  Cassi,

  When my nephew was in prison in Upstate NY in the 90's there were Witnesses who came and distributed literature and held WT studies there.

  out
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  Beck_Melbourne

  Cassi I can recall it still being done 4 yrs ago...brothers went to male prisons and sisters went to female prisons. Not sure what the success rate was.

  Another practice was witnessing on ships when they docked - brothers only of course. Most of the time the ships were freight or cargo carriers...and the passengers were usually foreign speaking...so I don't think it used to go so well.

  Beck
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  Cassiline

  Thanks all for the reply.

  ZazuWitts,

  It never crossed my mind that some of these were "brothers" in prison. Now that you mention it I do recall the brothers going in saying they were speaking to brothers. This always confused me as a child because I knew that if you were disfellowshipped you were not to receive spiritual visits. I guess I assumed they were DF because they were in prison.

  I never thought until now that they were "brothers" who were serving time due to not going to war.

  And you are right I wonder how those "brothers" will feel now when they see that alternative service can be accepted instead of prison. Then I guess that opens up another bag of worms so to speak, about other things that are accepted today.
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  Naomimara

  Hello Cassi...

  Yes, here in CT, the the area I live, there are regular Bible studies going on in a maximum security facility. Referrals are made and new studies are started as often as needed. I've never heard of any sisters experience in this area in detention facilities.

  Yours truly
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  Preston

  My grandma use to preach to someone in prison before she died a few years ago. They still preach to people in prison.
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  SYN

  And I can't believe nobody has made any "captive audience" jokes yet!