Prisoners find God behind bars

Eight inmates at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston recently took a life-changing step by being baptised, marking the latest milestone in the prison's church-led rehabilitation efforts. According to Inmate Pastor Lorraine Ellis, these baptisms are part of a broader mission to transform lives through faith.

Ellis, who has faithfully served as inmate pastor for more than five years, is at the heart of this spiritual movement within the facility. Her dedication to the rehabilitation programme has touched the lives of hundreds of inmates, offering them hope and a path to renewal.

Last month's baptisms, held in two phases, were a profound moment for the inmates and the community. "Through the church, we are helping the inmates understand who they are, and how they should operate," Ellis said, emphasising the programme's impact on personal growth and self-awareness.

The baptisms reflect a larger initiative that includes weekly church services led by Ellis, Corporal Lindon Naulty, and other religious volunteers. These services provide a vital source of spiritual guidance and support, helping inmates find strength, purpose, and a renewed sense of direction.

"The greatest rehabilitation is through the spirit of God. Once baptised, the inner man starts to control the outer man, and that is when true change happens," said Corporal Naulty, who has been an active participant in the programme for over a year. He highlighted how faith has led to transformation, even in those who were once seen as lost causes.

Over the years, the church programme at Tower Street has baptised more than 300 inmates, fostering a culture of positive change. It has also empowered inmates to take on leadership roles, forming a church board responsible for areas such as evangelism, music, worship, and prayer.

"The church is doing a great job," said Naulty. "It is making a real difference in the lives of these men. They are not just being rehabilitated; they are being transformed."

As he reflected on the programme's broader mission, Naulty added, "We're not just preparing them to leave prison; we're preparing them to make a difference in the world."