What kept Teresa from mourning with her family? What kept her away from being able to process her loss, and have closure at the funeral? These two major losses occurred during Teresa’s incarceration. When she was released in September of last year, she was not able to leave the state. Her mother was buried in Virginia. It took a great deal of resolve on her part not to go, but once she was given permission the first thing she did was to lay flowers on her mother’s grave.
I have heard similar words many times over the 28 years I have worked with the Center for Community Transitions’ Center for Women. I always thought this would be the hardest part of being incarcerated, not being with a loved one when they are terminally ill, being able to grieve for them surrounded by loved ones.
Incarceration is difficult, and one of the hardest things about it is missing those key moments in the life of the families left behind: the graduations, weddings, illnesses and burials that bind families together. It is at times like these that prayer circles form and the women come together to support each other and lift their families in prayer.
Prison and jail are places where people reach out to God, when life seems at its lowest point. Jan Thompson, former director of inmate programs in the Mecklenburg County jail, used to say “people find God in jail; unfortunately they leave him there when they get out.” I know that happens a lot. But I have witnessed many times when that did not happen. Many of the women at the Center where I work have found a faith home and family. The women are permitted to go out with volunteers weekly and 75% of the passes I approve are to attend a house of worship. Once they are released they continue to get their spiritual needs met with the faith family they found while in prison.
Teresa has a strong faith. She loves music and has written over 600 songs. At the last two Spring Fling events for the Center, she and her sister residents performed two of her songs. Her music is uplifting and grounded in her faith and her experiences in life. One of her songs, “I Just Want To Thank You” is one of my favorites about God’s love and Teresa’s love for her grandmother.
Lent is a time of reflection and discernment. What can be done for people who find themselves incarcerated and cut-off from their families? Are they lost and forgotten? Or will we welcome them back to our community as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus said that “…when you visited those in prison, you did it unto me.” And lest we forget, Jesus was a prisoner before he died for our sins, and rose on the third day giving us who believe, life everlasting.
