A Christian Prison Christ’
kingship

Near the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, there is a remarkable
facility. Twenty years ago the Brazilian government turned a prison over
to two Christians. The institution was renamed Humaita, and the plan
was to run it on Christian principles. With the exception of two full-time
staff, all the work is done by inmates. Families outside the prison
adopt an inmate to work with during and after his term. Chuck Colson
visited the prison and made this report: 

‘When I visited Humaita I found the inmates smiling- particularly the
murderer who held the keys, opened the gates and let me in. Wherever
I walked I saw men at peace. I saw clean living areas, people working
industriously. The walls were decorated with Biblical sayings from
Psalms and Proverbs…My guide escorted me to the notorious prison
cell once used for torture. Today, he told me, that block houses only
a single inmate. As we reached the end of a long concrete corridor
and he put the key in the lock, he paused and asked, «Are you sure
you want to go in?»

«Of course,» I replied impatiently, «I’ve been in isolation
cells all over the world.» Slowly he swung open the massive door, and
I saw the prisoner in that punishment cell: a crucifix, beautifully
carved by the Humaita inmates-the prisoner Jesus, hanging on a cross.

«He’s doing time for the rest of us,» my guide said
softly.'»

–Max Lucado