Foolish Inmate Workers

Having tasted being locked up, you would think that inmates would strive harder to reform their lives. To make things better. Some try. Like those ones dressed up in blue uniforms, making it known that they are part of the working crew.

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They are scattered inside the prisons. Some working in a particular unit to help clean up whatever mess, run errands for the custody staff and in their attempt to do the right thing, might even help break out a fight amongst themselves.

Some are kitchen workers. Working early at night until late in the morning. They have rotating shifts. Some serve in the staff’s dining hall. Making specified meals that staff orders. Setting out the food in those food warmers after laboring and doing lots of chopping and cooking. Making sandwiches, burritos, anything.

I used to eat there. But working at Intake then, didn’t give me enough time to enjoy my food. By the time my order was being brought to where I sat, Intake was already calling me that some arrestees had arrived. It was hard to take even a few bites. There was no more taste and no more appeal to my interrupted appetite.

Co-workers often wondered why I always brought my lunch now. I would go quietly to a room and close all doors and would eat stuff from home. Then rest my neck. And just talk to God in that silence.

I must warn you, before you keep reading my post, that stuff that I am about to say might gross you out. Not my intention. But I want to give you the clear picture of what truly happens inside those prison walls.

One night, I heard the charge nurse talking about two particular workers in kitchen, who got caught rubbing the lettuce on their bodies. Then, they chopped them up and served them. Another time, a co-worker yelled “Eeewwww!”, I ran and peeked when she was seeing an inmate worker, thinking something had happened and I was ready to call for help with the radio on my hand. She discovered that that particular inmate had scattered abscesses all over his body. It happens sometime. But it was sickening for her to realize on her own that it was the same inmate worker who served her sandwich that particular night. Sometimes, they would mix their body fluids with oatmeal or other food that might disguise their horrible ways.

That’s another reason why I chose to bring my own lunch!!!

We have tasted how it’s like to be imprisoned, too. Adultery. Illegal substances abuse. Pornography. Murder. And many other sins. But must we fall back again to those things that imprisoned us when we have already tasted God’s goodness and forgiveness through Christ? Of course, we’re humans, that’s what we always say as an excuse.

“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” - Galatians 3:3

May we all learn to stop acting like PRISONERS now! God has loved us all without any strings attached! There is nothing that we can do to make Him love us more! He loves us all. Unconditionally.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20


On another note, my shoulder’s pain started easing up yesterday. I just want to thank you all for your prayers and sweet thoughts. I’m sorry if I’m not able to visit some of you at this time. Just trying to be restored and be strong at this time. God bless you all the more.