A wonderful Christmas behind bars

I am a member of one Christian community whose advocacy is helping people behind bars. We give free legal services, counseling, mentoring, and free education. While serving their sentences, convicted prisoners who finished high school and want a college degree get instruction from volunteer college professors like me, who teach out of love and for free. A university has a tie-up with our community and this institution credits the classroom instruction and it grants them the degree.

Teaching free on Saturdays and even weekdays can be rewarding, considering we are transforming lives and affecting the future of young felons. I met this young boy “Edgar” from Dipolog, in his early twenties, who was convicted for drugs. He is brilliant and has a wonderful story. He is a son of an OFW mother working as a maid in Dubai. His father became involved with another woman, then abandoned Edgar and his two younger brothers. Edgar was enticed to peddle drugs and was arrested and convicted. Edgar is my adopted son; soon he will become a teacher.

I also met “Greg,” a former teacher convicted of raping his own student, his wife’s niece. I also met “Badette,” a lesbian who killed her girlfriend out of jealousy. I should mention “Abdul,” a Muslim caught smuggling heroin from Sandakan, Malaysia. His father was an MNLF commander. There is also “Satur,” a bomber of a terrorist group, who was convicted of multiple murder for bombing public transportation in Mindanao. They are all under my advisory; I am their mentor, adviser, and counselor.

The other night I attended a Christmas celebration in prison with them. Instead of dancing, singing, and speeches, the party format called for each one to share what they wish for Christmas. Their stories brought tears to their eyes and ours too. I could not believe what I heard. They are not bad people. They are victims of poverty, social injustice and ignorance. I was deeply affected by their words and pledged to continue helping them as much as I could. They can still become positive members of society. I will dedicate much of my time to help them reform.

This Christmas is very memorable for me. I did not attend our Christmas party for the university faculty, the homeowners association, or the party for lay ministers in our parish. But I kept on going back to prison. It seems there is a powerful force that keeps pulling me to people behind bars. I share this story to my children and my friends; they are all enriched by the insights and the meanings of Christmas. It is not about gifts or parties. It is about being true human beings, with mercy and compassion. Believe me, it is one of my best Christmases ever.