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It All Started With Prayer
A few years ago, prisoners in Belize were served their "meals" out of a wheelbarrow and slept on wet concrete floors. Now prisoners are offered good food, beds, educational opportunities and hope. How did these tremendous changes come about?
To be incarcerated in Belize‘s only prison prior to 2002 meant leaving one‘s humanity and dignity at the gates. The prison held nearly triple the capacity it was built for, leaving the majority of inmates sleeping without bedding on the wet floors of their crowded cells that flooded during rainstorms. The prison itself had no kitchen or sewage facilities, no potable water and no garbage disposal. Food was prepared in sheds overrun by cockroaches and feral cats. Inmates received their meals shovelled from a wheelbarrow. Those without plates were forced to receive their food in their outstretched hands.
The dismal conditions resulted in crimes and corruption within the prison and an attitude of fear in the community outside the prison walls.
The government of Belize knew it needed help to run the prison, and in 2002 made the bold decision to turn the management of the facility over to the Kolbe Foundation, a private, non-profit organisation made up of members of the Rotary Club of Belize.
In just two years, the Kolbe Foundation has succeeded in transforming this once grim and inhumane prison into a place of meaningful rehabilitation. Using resources from their government contract and local business donations, the foundation began by constructing new buildings to ease overcrowding, implementing a prison water system with filtration and water treatment equipment and building a clean mess hall.
Once living conditions were improved, the foundation set about fulfilling their goal: creating a “secure, humane facility geared toward meaningful rehabilitation.” “The first change was treating inmates as individuals with dignity instead of as numbers,” explains John Woods, chairman of the Kolbe Foundation Board of Directors and Board Member of Prison Fellowship Belize.
The foundation‘s rehabilitation efforts take place primarily in the prison‘s Rotary Learning Centre, which includes classrooms, a library, conference rooms, a Bible study room and even a radio station.
This year, as a recently chartered member of Prison Fellowship International, the Kolbe Foundation, through PF Belize, continues to excel at improving prison life in Belize and dramatically aiding in the transformation and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Educational and employment programmes help prepare prisoners for life on the outside. Inmates study English and math, passing increasingly higher levels of exams. Classes range from literacy training to high school level curriculum. The computer lab is especially popular, providing prisoners with the opportunity to learn computer skills and repair, using computers recently donated by a private foundation. “One class had 21 people in it and only 3 knew how to use a computer,” says John, “one had never even touched a computer before.” Other courses include emergency medical training (EMT), agricultural apprenticeships, jewellery, woodworking and crafts. Prisoners are motivated to take educational courses because they are a prerequisite for the employment programmes where prisoners may earn money while gaining on-the-job experience. Employment opportunities for prisoners include working as apprentices for the maintenance staff, plumbing, masonry and farming projects.
Despite the many engaging and successful programmes, PF Belize is quick to note that for true change to occur, transformation must begin in the heart as well as the mind. Bible studies and spiritual counselling are a key part of the ministry‘s programmes. Recently, PF began a radio station within the prison called “Jeremiah 33:3,” which broadcasts praise music, psalms, prayers, Bible-readings, devotions, biblically-based talk-shows and sermons for the prisoners throughout the day. Prisoners‘, guards‘ and staff birthdays are also announced via the station, which helps build a sense of community within the prison.
PF Belize continues to work hand-in-hand with the government. Recently, John Woods accompanied Honourable Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize, and Honourable Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs and Public Utilities, to the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States, both of whom are grateful for the ministry‘s work. “Change in the community and society is a great success story,” says the Prime Minister, “It‘s been wonderful to see how the community‘s view of prisoners has changed.”
When the non-profit Kolbe Foundation was contracted to take over the management of Belize‘s poorly run, dilapidated, Central Prison, they had no experience with prison management. “Our programme was based in the belief that every person is formed in the image and likeness of God,” explains John, “we treat people like we would want to be treated ourselves.” And Belize‘s government heartily agrees with this approach, “We needed to give the prisoners faith in themselves and faith in the Almighty,” confirms Prime Minister Musa.
Since the foundation began operating the prison, escape attempts dropped from 92 to 12 and recidivism rates fell dramatically from 60 percent to 25 percent. “And it all started by praying,” says John.
