The Human Factor

The Human Factor

Herald Review Octber 12, 2014 

Sister Jane and the Prison Ministry have brought care and a humane touch to hardened inmates in the jails of Goa

LISA ANN MONTEIRO 


The Church run Prison Ministry with Sister Jane at the forefront has brought a touch of humanity to jails in Goa ever since its volunteers began visiting inmates 16 years ago.

Over the years the Prison Ministry has expanded its repertoire of work with the prisoners. It has facilitated inmates in completing their education under the National Open School and has encouraged others to pursue higher studies under the Yeshwantrao Chavan Open University, filling their forms and paying their fees. Qualified volunteers including retired principals and teachers render their services through the ministry. This year the Aguada Central Jail has also received an impetus with the Indira Gandhi National Open University ( IGNOU) offering several short term diploma and degree courses in tourism, computers, food and nutrition.

Counseling sessions by trained experts have also helped prisoners better deal with their problems. Since language can be a major barrier, the ministry has even engaged Fr Antonio Fernandes who is fluent in Nepalese to counsel Nepali inmates.

Another significant role the ministry plays in the lives of inmates is paying the deposit for needy prisoners to go on parole. Caritas, through the Prison Ministry, over the last three years has been paying the required Rs 1 lakh deposit and standing as surety for the prisoner’s parole period of 28 days. Caritas also provides accommodation at their St Xavier’s Academy for the differently abled in Old Goa.

Here the inmate helps with whatever activity he is skilled in-- tailoring, gardening, carpentry, crafts etc. He is also allowed to take a walk in the evenings giving him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the environment that he has lost contact with.

Letting prisoners out on parole helps in their adapting to society after serving their sentence. “ Many have no family members who can pay the Rs 1 lakh deposit and as a result there were convicts who hadn’t been out on parole for even 13 years. They were depressed, dejected and had lost all contact with the world outside.

Going out on parole gives them exposure to freedom and an experience of social life outside, something that will help them when they are released,” says Sr Jane.

Caritas through the Prison Ministry also helps needy families of inmates, coming to their aid when a family member is sick. They also visit family members of convicts and victims, helping them grieve and come to terms with their situation.

The ministry pays special attention to children of convicts who are caught in difficult circumstances. Children spend the first three years with their mother in prison as they are still being fed. Later, with their parents’ permission they are enrolled in various boarding schools around the State.

The ministry finds sponsors to help needy children complete their education.

Many have gone on to complete their higher education and have done well for themselves.

The ministry has brought about change in the lives of convicts. Many express their feelings through poetry and painting. Volunteers train inmates in painting and in music too. Some play the tabla, guitar, flute or the harmonium.

Several have discovered talents they never knew they possessed.

When groups visit the prison, they prepare skits for the inmates with mes sages they can relate to. The inmates in turn prepare a special programme for their visitors.

Sister Jane dismisses the term hardened criminals. “ They are all mild, friendly, open and cooperative. They have learnt to grow socially and have become more humane and understanding and gift a painting, candle or any works they have created to visitors at the jail. They never let guests go back empty handed.” She recalls one prisoner telling a group of youth who visited them, “ We have made mistakes. Be careful not to make the same mistakes we made and land up here. Look at us.

We smile but inside our heart is weeping all the time.” Sister Jane is also touched by their concern. Back in 2000 when she met with a serious accident, doctors gave her only three hours to live. Suffering a head injury, she eventually pulled through miraculously after 21 days in hospital. The inmates then were restless and began feigning illnesses from toothaches to backachces just so that they could land up at GMC to visit her. Those who were in the hospital for genuine treatment would plead with the sisters to let them at least see her. Such was and is their concern.

When she came through, she still needed three months of rest but the IG prisons sent a car for her just so she could visit the inmates and put them at ease.

This is the reason why despite her osteoarthritis today, Sister Jane still makes it a point to visit the jails at Aguada, Sada and the judicial look up at Mapusa. She does all this using public transport and says she doesn’t feel her aches and pains when she’s doing something for others. Every saint, she says, has a sinful past and every sinner a hopeful future.Review Bureau 

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