Prisoner Rehabilitation​—Can It Succeed?

“I CONSIDER myself completely free! I am free of the darkness that formerly held me.”

“Every day of my life is happy!”

These are expressions of two inmates of the Iwahig Penal Colony in the Philippines. Both were convicted of murder, and have spent long years in prison. But they have found something that has brought them more joy than anything that they possessed during their previous years of freedom.

THE IWAHIG PRISON

The Iwahig Prison and Penal Colony​—to give it its full title—​is different from many other prisons. It is situated on the island of Palawan, the long island in the Philippine chain that stretches southwest into the China Sea. The prison includes 95,410 acres (38,612 hectares), and provides accommodations for about 5,000 inmates. However, these are called colonos (those who inhabit a colony) rather than prisoners.

Throughout most of the prison area there are no high walls or bars. There are no armed guards, and many inmates move about quite freely. Some do not wear uniforms. Most live in dormitories and work at producing the principal crops of the colony: rice, corn, copra, lumber, rattan and a small variety of bamboo.

The colonos receive a small cash gratuity each month, which they can augment in such ways as by making and selling handicrafts. A few, who have shown themselves trustworthy and can support their families, are allowed to bring them into the colony to live. These families live in duplex apartments; they are given necessary provisions free, and may grow crops or raise livestock to help to defray expenses.

Discipline is maintained, but the colonos are given greater freedom as they prove themselves trustworthy. Some even help in running the colony. Additionally, training in different skills is supplied, and illiterates are taught basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Leisure activities are allowed, including swimming, various competitive sports, music programs and picnics, while some religious meetings are permitted on Sundays.

Over the years Iwahig has been a fertile ground for the disciple-making work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But how did this activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses get started?

PREACHING WORK INSIDE IWAHIG

Many persons have been involved in this activity over the years, and Domingo Obispo was one of the first.a He was serving a long sentence in Muntinlupa prison near Manila, and began to attend meetings held in that prison by a local elder of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Eventually he accepted what he was learning from the Bible and became a Witness. Then, when he was transferred to Iwahig, he shared what he had learned with others.

In another instance, a man who had been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was disfellowshiped from his congregation because of bad conduct. He committed a very serious crime and was imprisoned. In prison he started to repent, just like King Manasseh of old. (2 Chron. 33:10-13) Finally, when this man was transferred to Iwahig, he contacted the elders in the nearby Puerto Princesa Congregation, and they could see that his repentance was genuine. Therefore he was accepted back as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and he began preaching in the colony.

Then there was the man who escaped from Iwahig. He went to a town in Palawan and started living as a private citizen. One of Jehovah’s Witnesses preached to him, and the escaped convict believed what he heard. Then his conscience began to bother him, so he consulted an elder in the congregation. What should he do?

The Christian elder gave him advice based on the apostle Paul’s words at Romans chapter 13, verse one. He was shown that it was the responsibility of a true Christian to pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar. Hence, accompanied by some Christian friends, he went back to the colony and surrendered himself. Now he is a trustworthy prisoner and has been assigned as a teacher of other inmates. He is using this assignment as an opportunity to spread the message of true Christianity.

Most of those who are now becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses in Iwahig have been reached by the preaching done right inside the colony. One of the men was handed the tract Is This All There Is to Life? Surprised to find Jehovah’s Witnesses active in prison, he agreed to a Bible study using the study aid The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life. Responding to the things that he learned, the man gradually changed his life until he qualified for Christian baptism.

Actual house-to-house (or dormitory-to-dormitory) preaching is forbidden in the colony. However, twice a week a “head count” is held, and on these occasions all are gathered together to check that no one is missing. This is the time used by the Witnesses to preach to their fellow inmates. Bible studies are conducted with them under the trees or in the grandstand of the plaza.

Also, on Sundays Christian elders from the Puerto Princesa Congregation are allowed to conduct a Bible study inside the prison, using the Watchtower magazine as a study aid. Interested persons are invited to attend. Previously these meetings were held in the prison library, but the administration, appreciative of the work being done by Jehovah’s Witnesses, has now arranged to have a large Kingdom Hall built, at the colony’s expense.

Recently the authorities have allowed certain colonos to attend the circuit assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses held outside the prison. The elders from the nearby congregation accept responsibility for these persons, and the inmates are accompanied by only one unarmed guard. They wear civilian clothes and are not manacled. At each of the last three circuit assemblies, some of these men were baptized. In May 1977, two of the 12 who attended were immersed. The other Witnesses at the assemblies are always delighted to associate with their Christian brothers from Iwahig.

SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION

The result of the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been a complete reformation of certain hardened criminals. Although it is often true that men return to their lives of crime after leaving prison, many of these have completely changed. In the words of the apostle Paul, they have been “washed clean.”​—1 Cor. 6:11.

The permanence of the reformation is seen in the experience of one man who, after serving a 15-year sentence for murder, was released and became a pioneer, as Jehovah’s Witnesses call full-time preachers. Others who have been released have progressed to become respected elders in the Christian congregation with which they associate.

The objective of the Iwahig Penal Colony is particularly “reformation,” rather than “punishment.” Hence, the members of the administration are delighted at the changes that they see in those inmates who have become Jehovah’s Witnesses. One penal supervisor exclaimed: “I wish all the inmates here were Jehovah’s Witnesses!”

The Acting Security Officer of the colony said: “I want this religion to have many converts here, because I have observed that the moment they become Jehovah’s Witnesses I see many good things in their habits and traits.

“That member of yours, Sanchez, he was the number one troublemaker here​—a drunkard, heavy smoker and full of vices. He was a pain in my neck. How he had the courage to change is something I do not know. All I know is that he became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and that was it!”

WHY THE CHANGE?

What is it that turns murderers, rapists, arsonists and assassins into good-living Christians? According to the men themselves, it is the reforming power of God’s Word and the good association with godly people. One commented that he was attracted by the Bible’s promise of everlasting life, and that God would wipe out every tear from the eyes of suffering mankind, as well as remove sickness and death. (John 5:24; Rev. 21:4) Since he had seen the bad side of life, these promises appealed to his heart.

Another commented that a true Christian brotherly love exists among the inmates who have become Jehovah’s Witnesses, and this is what attracted him. Now he says that he wants to strive to be “a good servant of Jehovah God.”

Others said that when they associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses, it was the first time in their whole lives that they had been treated like decent people. The reality of this love is seen in the case of one inmate at the time that he was to be released. He said that “his eyes filled with tears” because he had to part from his beloved Christian brothers.

So, even in prison, the power of the Bible to heal hearts and change people is being dramatically demonstrated. As they come into the light of God’s Word, these men, who have been incarcerated for previous wrongdoing, experience the real freedom that Jesus promised when he said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) They are grateful for the loving-kindness of their God, Jehovah, who has permitted them to find true liberty and lasting rehabilitation even while they are in prison. You will enjoy reading the following first-person experience of one of these men.

[Footnotes]

A Gangster Receives a Presidential Pardon

BACK in 1945, I was viewed as a devout Catholic. Once, I remember, to fulfill a vow, I walked on my knees all the way from the church door to the altar. At the same time, I was a heavy drinker and a member of a gang. I made friends easily because I was liberal with money. My means of living was buying and selling stolen goods. In one week, I could get as much as 10,000 pesos in this way. No wonder I was generous! I was looked up to in Balicbalic, Manila, where I lived.

I was admired as a “tough guy!” But close by there was another “tough guy” who looked on me as his rival. One day our gangs had an encounter. I shot my rival dead; his friends fled, and I was supreme. That was in 1947.

Now, however, I had to hide from the law, so I fled south of Manila into Cavite. A reward of 1,000 pesos was put on my head, and that was enough to encourage a close friend to betray me. In May 1949 I was caught and, on May 1, 1951, I was sentenced to life imprisonment.

LIFE IN MUNTINLUPA

The following day I was taken in handcuffs to the National Penitentiary at Muntinlupa, Rizal. On arrival, my own clothes were taken, and I was given prison clothes. My number was 11481-P. Once inside the prison, I felt unnatural. I knew I was alive, but I seemed to be in a pit. The other prisoners were like animals. I particularly hated the way that they forced newcomers who were young to submit to homosexual acts. In my heart I felt pity for their victims, and I promised myself that I would never again take advantage of or oppress my fellowman. So I took courage and prayed to God that I might be able to withstand the terrible situation in which I now found myself.

The prison director at Muntinlupa allowed freedom of worship, and there were many different groups that held services. I believed that all religions were from God, so I drifted for about six months from one meeting to another. But, after observing their conduct and habits, I came to the conclusion that there was no truth in them. One thing to which I objected was the way some of these groups would bring pretty girls to their meetings to attract attendance. This would incite the prisoners to do unclean things afterward.

Finally, I attended the meetings held by Jehovah’s Witnesses. I was impressed by their method of teaching. It was right from the Bible and very informative. I was especially interested in the name of God. Eventually, I dedicated myself to Jehovah and was baptized in 1953. I began preaching to other inmates and employees at Muntinlupa. Some listened, and in time there were a number who became Witnesses in that prison.

We had some problems regarding flag salute because of our conscientious objection to saluting. Once we had to suffer solitary confinement. One morning, however, the prisoners, numbering many thousands, were convened in the prison plaza. The flag was raised and all saluted except the Witnesses, who numbered about 20 at the time.

At that moment there was a heavy downpour of rain, and the prisoners scampered for shelter. Only we Witnesses remained standing in the rain, since we had not been dismissed. Later, the director called us and asked why we did not run like the others, but stood and got wet. We explained that our stand regarding the flag did not mean that we disrespected it. It was just that we view the act of saluting as a religious ceremony. From then on, our position in this matter was much better understood.

In 1957 the Muntinlupa penitentiary was rocked almost daily by riots between rival gangs that carried names like “OXO” and “Sigue-sigue.” To help to maintain peace and order, the prison authorities handpicked those whose record of conduct was exemplary and gave them appointments. I was assigned to be a bastonero, which is a prisoner who is entrusted to oversee other prisoners. As a reward for conscientious discharge of my responsibilities, I was chosen to be transferred to the Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan.

LIFE IN IWAHIG

In Iwahig I was given another responsible job​—I was made food administrator for some 800 inmates. I received the food supply and oversaw the cooking, as well as the feeding of the men. The authorities felt that my conduct was good, because the prisoners were content with my management, whereas some who had previously held my job had been murdered.

One day, the superintendent of Iwahig asked why the prisoners seemed satisfied with me. I told him that I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and applied Bible principles in my work. From then on he relied on me more, and I had more freedom to preach among the inmates. As a result, I conducted a group study with some 13 persons. Soon, I contacted the Witnesses in the local Puerto Princesa Congregation, and one of Jehovah’s Witnesses helped us to have regular meetings inside Iwahig.

While I was in Iwahig, I heard news of an international convention to be held at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium in August of 1963. It was July 1, 1963. I had been baptized for 10 years, but had never been able to attend a convention of the Witnesses. I felt very sad and restless. That night I could not sleep because of thinking about the convention, so I started praying, asking to be shown a way whereby I could attend.

RELEASE

One evening I wrote to the then president of the Philippines, Diosdado Macapagal. I appealed to him for a presidential pardon so that I could attend. On July 30 his reply came with the wonderful words: “I am granting your request.” I wept for joy. On August 10 I was released. August 15 I was with my family. August 17 we all joined with thousands of our Christian brothers at the international convention. Words are inadequate to describe my joy at that time. God had been very kind to me.

After the assembly I was able to pursue my service to Jehovah God as a free man. In spite of my prison record, I was able to get employment so that I could care for my family as a Christian man should. My present employers know that I have been in prison, but they also know that now I am a Christian; so they trust me in my work.

In the congregation, I have been able to progress to the point of being an elder. My goal in life is to keep on serving Jehovah with all my heart, together with my wife and children. And it is our hope to become acceptable to Him, and to receive his blessing of life in the now so near earthly paradise.​—Contributed.