Prison Journalism: Easter holiday in Pollsmoor Prison

Prison Journalism: Easter holiday in Pollsmoor PrisonDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

04-04-2024 13:43

in Prison Journalism

Prison Journalism: Easter Holiday in Pollsmoor Prison

Image via pixabay

When I was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison, I spent the Easter holidays in 2017. It was just a normal day, but you could feel it was a holiday due to the few wardens who walked around the prison cells performing their duties.

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The Church Service On Sunday of the Easter holiday, people from outside came with a Pastor, and a church service was held. Everyone who wanted to pray was allowed to do so. I was also one of the people who joined the church service. It was overwhelming seeing other prisoners, including gangsters, murderers, and drug addicts, telling us their testimonial journeys and how they welcomed Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. This church service welcomed everyone to pray, including Muslims and Rastafarians.

Easter's Impact in Prison Celebrating Easter in prison is different from outside; outside, you have your freedom and don't think too much, unlike when you are incarcerated. For me, Easter in prison was a beacon of hope at a time when I was hopeless. It allowed me to revisit my life and realize I needed to change, knowing that through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, I would one day be out of prison.

Personal Reflections and Influences I remember having a friend, a fellow inmate, who led prayers. He was sentenced to life in prison for murder but was a born-again Christian. He always mentioned that God forgives everybody, giving me hope and strength. He shared his past of joining a gang and committing robberies, but Easter reminded him of how his sins were washed away at Calvary when Jesus died on the cross.

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The Role of Prison Officers Besides other inmates, we had prison officers who preached to us during Easter. One officer, nicknamed pastor, possibly a chaplain, held authority over religious matters among inmates, whether they were Rastafarian, Muslim, or Christian. He organized for people from outside to come and pray for the inmates.

Visitation and Reunion Another interesting aspect of Easter in prison is that it is a public holiday, so all sentenced prisoners are allowed to be visited by their families or loved ones, reuniting for a temporary time.

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

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Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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