For I was in prison

[NCSue]

Yes, it can be difficult to donate things to inmates. Each prison has a different set of rules, each state’s department of corrections has a different set of rules. (I’ve written to inmates in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Arizona, and North Carolina, and sometimes it makes me a bit nuts trying to remember what the rules are that apply in a certain location…)

Often if you look at the website for the Department of Corrections for your state you can find the rules which apply there. Of course they change with time, and the website may not be current, so you may want to call the prison itself.

The premise is that the regulations are designed to minimize ways that (a) contraband can be smuggled in and (b) weapons can be fashioned. So, for example, some prisons will not allow inmates to receive hardback books as the hardback portion of the book could theoretically be used to make a shiv (a home-made knife of sorts). But there are also some very peculiar rules at some prisons that don’t really seem to make all that much sense. For example, inmates in Mississippi are only allowed to receive four pages printed off the internet at any one time. (I think it’s four - don’t quote me…) And inmates in Arizona can use regular pencils, but not colored ones. Inmates in some states can receive stamps. Others cannot. Some prisons don’t allow inmates to receive mail that has a label stuck on it… even an address label. Others won’t allow an inmate to receive 2 copies of the same picture. Etc., etc.

Your best bet is to contact the individual prison to find out what their requirements are.

By the way, an earlier poster was wanting to make sure that he could restrict his donations so that inmates convicted of certain crimes couldn’t receive them. *(Perhaps he was worried that Christian literature might help the prisoner develop a relationship with God??? As he said, they don’t *deserve repentance, but I guess Jesus didn’t HAVE to die for OUR sins…) I wanted to reiterate what someone added later: books donated to prison “make the rounds”. Inmates may be permitted to keep one or two books in their cell on a somewhat permanent basis, but due to space constraints they can’t keep more than that. So books will be circulated from one inmate to another, usually by means of a “book cart”.

Thanks for your efforts to donate magazines for inmates to read. Hopefully if they read some good, Christian literature, they will have more time to develop their faith.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Yaaawwwn!

Chaz, what I wrote to Sue also applies to you, it seems.

And no, common sense dictates that the great majority of people in prison are in prison for commiting crimes. Do you wish for me to define what a crime is for you?

Crimes are not nice- in particular crimes like rape, serial homicide and child molestation. You’ll be hardpressed to find anyone who disagrees. There is your supporting evidence.

Whether you are fallen away or not I imagine you are still Christain right?

Therefore perhaps I can help remind you of what Jesus tells us:

Matthew 25:

35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
40
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

 

[querying]

Whether you are fallen away or not I imagine you are still Christain right?

Therefore perhaps I can help remind you of what Jesus tells us:

Matthew 25:

35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
40
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Irrelevant to the point I was making.

Completely irrelevant…

But that is to expected from those who don’t read other’s posts thoroughly, but rush to post in judgement.

 

[NCSue]

NCSue, it’s “Catholics” like yourself which have contributed to my decision to be rid of Roman Catholicism after 21 years. So sanctimonious and hypocritical.

You state I shouldn’t judge, yet you opened your reply to me by stating that I have “so much bitterness and anger” stored up" in myself.

I’m sorry, but have we even met?

This thread is the first exchange I’ve had with you, yet you make presumptious comments about my character.

I have not judged any individual- I have simply said what many feel: Many do not wish to give to those who have commited the most heinous of crimes, and such is a normal human reaction.

That you are advocating such programmes is good; the way you handle people leaves a lot to be desired, however.

Enjoy the ever growing obselete Church which you cling to.

I’m sorry that you find my tone to be “sanctimonious and hypocritical”, and that you find my viewpoint so objectionable.

You’re correct in stating that my statements about your character were presumptuous. I was basing it on a perceived “tone of voice” in your post, but I’ve learned from bitter experience that this doesn’t come across very accurately in written form.

Out of curiosity, in light of your “decision to be rid of Roman Catholicism after 21 years”, why do you come to a Catholic board? I apologize if that sounds snotty; I’m really curious about what motivates people to visit a place they find so objectionable. Are you trying to convince us of the error of our ways? Is there something about the Church that you still miss?

I’m sorry that you’ve left the Church. You may find it challenging to find a church that is totally free of hypocrisy, but I wish you well.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version)

1 Corinthians 13
Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,** but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes: May Father open your eyes and heart, and may his holy Spirit alway’s give you peace and love. God Bless You Nancy**

 

[querying]

Out of curiosity, in light of your “decision to be rid of Roman Catholicism after 21 years”, why do you come to a Catholic board? I apologize if that sounds snotty; I’m really curious about what motivates people to visit a place they find so objectionable. Are you trying to convince us of the error of our ways? Is there something about the Church that you still miss?

I made my final decision a couple of days ago, although I registered a week or so before, enquiring about Orthodoxy whilst still “officially Roman Catholic”.

PS- Almost everyone I’ve encountered who puts out statements or sentiments simmilar to “don’t judge/ he without sin cast the last stone” are the most judgemental people in the world, yet they are too arrogant to see their own hypocrisy.

 

[NCSue]

I made my final decision a couple of days ago, although I registered a week or so before, enquiring about Orthodoxy whilst still “officially Roman Catholic”.

PS- Almost everyone I’ve encountered who puts out statements or sentiments simmilar to “don’t judge/ he without sin cast the last stone” are the most judgemental people in the world, yet they are too arrogant to see their own hypocrisy.

Again, my apologies for seeming to be hypocritical. I will reflect on whether there’s room for improvement there.

I truly do wish you the best in your search for a church where you can feel comfortable.

Peace,

Sue

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

Again, my apologies for seeming to be hypocritical. I will reflect on whether there’s room for improvement there.

I truly do wish you the best in your search for a church where you can feel comfortable.

Peace,

Sue

YA! BY Nancy

 

[ElizabethPH]

Irrelevant to the point I was making.

Completely irrelevant…

But that is to expected from those who don’t read other’s posts thoroughly, but rush to post in judgement.

I fail to see why it’s not relevant to your notion that only certain criminals be ministered too. That is what I was addressing.

 

[querying]

By the way, an earlier poster was wanting to make sure that he could restrict his donations so that inmates convicted of certain crimes couldn’t receive them. ***(Perhaps he was worried that Christian literature might help the prisoner develop a relationship with God??? As he said, they don’t *deserve ****repentance, but I guess Jesus didn’t HAVE to die for OUR sins…)

Oh- I’ve just noticed the particular sentence of yours which is highlighted in bold.

Again, back to you making unwarranted judgements: Pray tell, where have I written or even suggested, that certain prisoners don’t deserve repentence?

I spoke of temporal punishment, and that ones repentance is **not **dependant on whether they receive books.

Just another example of the hypocricy of those who love to cry out “don’t judge”…

 

[querying]

I fail to see why it’s not relevant to your notion that only certain criminals be ministered too. That is what I was addressing.

It’s irrelevant because the above is not my position, nor has it ever been.

Try not to read your own assumptions in other peoples posts.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

Aug 1, '09, 6:12 pm
querying
Trial Membership Join Date: July 30, 2009
Posts: 132
Religion: Fallen away RC, seeking Apostolic Church

Re: For I was in prison…

---

What could help if people were given the option to selectively choose the type of inmates which their gifts/ books go to.

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

 

[NCSue]

Oh- I’ve just noticed the particular sentence of yours which is highlighted in bold.

Again, back to you making unwarranted judgements: Pray tell, where have I written or even suggested, that certain prisoners don’t deserve repentence?

I spoke of temporal punishment, and that ones repentance is **not **dependant on whether they receive books.

Just another example of the hypocricy of those who love to cry out “don’t judge”…

Querying - I have already apologized to you. Please do not waste your time looking for additional reasons to take offense.

 

[ElizabethPH]

It’s irrelevant because the above is not my position, nor has it ever been.

Try not to read your own assumptions in other peoples posts.

huh? I’m just not getting it then. Sorry about that querying, so you are only suggesting that there are perhaps some folks out here that would want that control of who they minister too. In fact there is that choice. I don’t think that you can necessarily make that choice with the sort of ministry spoken of here…(the mail)…but if you are of the ilk to actually go into prisons that choice can be made as what sort of prison inmates you see. For instance you can just go to facilities that have inmates that have committed lesser crimes. I do that…but I also go to a prison that has more hard core criminals. So anyway am I better understanding you then?

 

[querying]

huh? I’m just not getting it then. Sorry about that querying, so you are only suggesting that there are perhaps some folks out here that would want that control of who they minister too.

So anyway am I better understanding you then?

That’s it exactly.

I’m not saying that prisoners shouldn’t receive books from those willing to give them, but that those who aren’t willing to give to some types of prisoners ought to have their wishes respected.

I understand, however, that this wish cannot be fulfilled with this particular ministry.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

That’s it exactly.

I’m not saying that prisoners shouldn’t receive books from those willing to give them, but that those who aren’t willing to give to some types of prisoners ought to have their wishes respected.

I understand, however, that this wish cannot be fulfilled with this particular ministry.

Please why can’t it? Why can’t you give to whom you choose?

 

[Sheeniac]

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen went once to give a talk in prison. He said that all the men were waiting in a respectful silence for him to start speaking.

He started out his talk by asking them if they knew the difference between him and them. No one answered. He roared back "I haven’t been caught yet!’

His point was that we are all wretched sinners in the eyes of God. At some point, the matter of degree doesn’t matter - it’s crossed the line. The difficulty in this is for us to recognize Christ in even the lowliest of prisoners. It is hard for us to do that - to look with love as our Father wishes to. But since we are all called to be holy, we are all called to do this. Love your neighbor is not just for the nice people down the street who smile and wave.

IMO, we need to reach beyond our comfort zone. It’s tough to do this in prison situations with criminals. So that’s why I think I am drawn to it. I look at history at a man who killed another in anger, Moses, and who was called by God for greatness. I look at someone who persecuted Christians and see St. Paul.

One a related note, I had NO idea that the rules varied so much. I would think there’d be one generally accepted code, with perhaps a variation here or there for things that had been problems at a specific location. This information makes me less discouraged.

Sophia Institute has $2 books, so I may get some of those shipped. I’m also on the paperbackswap.com and there are a fair amount of Catholic books there, so maybe I will get a few shipped from there as well.

I’m so happy that this thread was posted!

 

[Sheeniac]

Please why can’t it? Why can’t you give to whom you choose?

A logistical nightmare, I would assume, unless you were corresponding with someone specific. If you were to send the books to the woman mentioned on NCSue’s blog, you would be placing a burden on her if she were to accept the books. Personally, if I was running that program, I would refuse any such donation with strings. Why? Because Christ came for the sick, not the healthy - so if one would want to only give a book to a certain type of sinner, they could do the legwork themselves.

 

[Sheeniac]

That’s it exactly.

I’m not saying that prisoners shouldn’t receive books from those willing to give them, but that those who aren’t willing to give to some types of prisoners ought to have their wishes respected.

I understand, however, that this wish cannot be fulfilled with this particular ministry.

Wait a second…

You originally posted "Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers. "

I’m sorry, but to throw in the word ‘rightfully’ in your comment AND to emphasize it seems to indicate a certain level of approval. The fact that people picked up on that and replied to it doesn’t seem so unrealistic now.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

A logistical nightmare, I would assume, unless you were corresponding with someone specific. If you were to send the books to the woman mentioned on NCSue’s blog, you would be placing a burden on her if she were to accept the books. Personally, if I was running that program, I would refuse any such donation with strings. Why? Because Christ came for the sick, not the healthy - so if one would want to only give a book to a certain type of sinner, they could do the legwork themselves.

Hello Sheeniac, I use to visit in prison and I do know they have church and bible study’s for anyone ever hanis crimes. i am certain of this, at least in New England. i don’t know about the rest of he so called United States, where one gets taxed and the other does not. I have met differnt church groups there and there is a minister who gives talks etc. you could send alot of things but since the 90’s they stopped it because alot of things were ripped off and the inmates didn’t recieve them. you can send money and postage tamps now. Love of Christ Nancy