A Mexican prison

CERESO is an acronym for Center for Social Re-Adaptation and is the name by which the prison in Tehuantepec goes by. The above photo is of missionary, Nils Clauson, as we waited outside of the prison to enter it and visit some of the Christian inmates. I Googled "Mexican prisons" and found any number of sites telling of the terrible conditions inside of Mexican prisons--including this one.

However, in the midst of the poor sanitation, injustice, crowded facilities, poor food---everything that the Google website talk about and about which much has been written in the U.S. press---there is a ray of hope.

This photo is of Covenant pastor, Carmelo Salinas, as we wait to enter the prison. In the background written on the beige colored wall is a list of the things that you can not bring into the prison and items of clothing that are not allowed. The list is extensive: no fruits that could ferment and be used to make alcohol, obviously no knives or weapons, no black or navy colored clothes (the guards use that color), no camouflage clothing, no jewelry, etc. Pretty much the only thing that can be brought in is an I.D. and your car keys.

We had also gotten permission to bring in a box of Bibles and Bible commentaries to be given to the small group of Christians within the prison. Each Bible and book had to be checked by the guards to make sure we weren't smuggling anything in to the prisoners.

We lined up one by one as our names were written on a piece of paper that Carmelo handed to the guard. There was little shade and we stood in the hot, bright sunlight without sunglasses (one of the forbidden items) until visiting hours started. The guards struggled with the pronunciation of so many U.S. names. We turned over our I.D.'s and our car keys. Then we were called one by one into a small room to be patted down before being allowed out the other side into the actual prison.

We walked through the prison which doesn't actually have locked cells but only small rooms for the prisoners. We were shown into a small chapel and warmly greeted by the prison pastor, himself a prisoner. Sometimes during our prison visits we participate in a church service where the praise songs are lively and the prisoners share their testimonies. There is no holding back. These are not innocent men. We have heard how they have found God after being hired killers, drug smugglers, etc. At times we are invited to share our testimonies.

This particular visit, however, we were just meeting with the men and giving them the Bibles and commentaries. There is an active Bible study group in the prison and they are eager to learn more and had asked for the commentaries. There is a chapel service every afternoon.

When I first went to the prison, I have to admit I was afraid. I had never been in a prison, I had never talked face to face with a prisoner, etc. I was in a locked environment where anything could happen. This was not a U.S. prison with strict visiting rooms and policies. I was in the middle of Mexican prison. However, after meeting these Christians, those fears vanished. These prisoners were eager to share their faith with us and to pray with us.

A visit to the prison always ends with prayer and one of the men using his personal money to buy the visitors coca colas. Then comes a rush to leave--they do have set times when visitors can leave and if you miss the time, you have to stay. Pastor Carmelo always seems very nervous as getting us out of the prison on time.

So yes, most everything you read about Mexican prisons is true. They are grim places. However in the midst of the grimness there is a joy and a hope that only God can provide.