By Larry West

The uncertainties of prison life surely must be a part of the punishment. While some rules seem to be set in concrete, it is best not to expect them to be followed exactly all of the time. Sometimes they are adhered to more strictly, or less so, when there is a change in the officer applying them or depending upon the circumstances within the prison itself. If there is tension and other signs of turmoil or trouble, much greater precautions are ordinarily taken. This will slow down every aspect of programming including the chapel services and oftentimes will cause them to be canceled. To say that this is a gigantic disruption is an understatement. Many programs suffer when there is no regular schedule.

Do we not also seem to be most comfortable when we can follow our usual routine day after day? We appear to function better if we follow a consistent pattern in our lives. So, what effect would there be on our lives if we did not know for sure whether or not the church would assemble at any of its stated times for worship or Bible study, and even if so, we were totally unsure whether or not we would be allowed to go, although we got ready and put forth the effort to do so?

What if we suspected someone was purposely waiting to try to kill us on our way? What if we had to appear in person with an ID card and sign up in order to attend? Then, to prove that we were actually there, we had to put our ID card in a box so that our attendance could be verified? On rainy days, what if we had to stand out in the rain for up to two hours, waiting to get into the building? What if we knew we were sitting in the midst of murderers, robbers, thieves, etc.? Could you maintain your concentration if you realized that you were partaking of the Lord's Supper with a criminal on either side of you - and in front and back of you? --Just some things to think about.

Along another line, it seems to me that it would be a good thing, and a deterrent to crime, if people could realize some of the things which might be a consequence of their wrongful deeds. Stop and think of the shame it brings upon your family and loved ones. Consider how much of your time, talents and abilities will be wasted while you sit in jail/prison. If you are married, what if your wife decides she can't make it alone (providing for and taking care of the family) and that it just isn't worth the wait? What if your wife feels that it would be too difficult and traumatic for the children to be told that their father is in prison, so she tells them that you are dead, and will not allow any communication between you and them? What if your mother or father, or another family member, were to die while you are incarcerated? How much guilt would you feel? How bad would you feel when they won't let you out to go to the funeral?

Bad things can, and often do happen while people are in prison. What if they were to happen to you? What if you just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and your "cellie" violates the rules, but they don't know which of you did it, so they place both of you in restraints, put both of you in the cage, and put both of you in Administrative Segregation, where the rules are even tougher and the privileges are almost nonexistent? What if your "cellie" is a thief and while you are asleep, or out of the cell, he steals some of your stuff? What if someone spreads the word that you are a "snitch", or guilty of a particular crime?

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