New lives for prisoners
Sr Angela McKeever 
Workshops help criminals in Chile pursue job opportunities after their jail sentences.
It was the prisoners themselves who came up with the idea: they wanted to start workshops to occupy their time and help themselves and their families. They reasoned that if they could learn skills and share them with others, they would more easily find work when they were released.
Most of these men in this prison in Colina, a town just outside Santiago, Chile, had committed serious crimes.
In a prison system where the "law of the jungle" reigns, it’s difficult to change oneself.
Some of the men were determined to turn their lives around. Could they work as a group? Could they trust each other; could they plan, make decisions and share together in a place where "me first" was the rule?
Thanks to generous Columban benefactors, they began in a small way. The men organised and attended sessions to learn how to paint on glass, create crafts, picture frames, furniture, shoes and how to tailor clothes.
The men needed all the help and encouragement they could get. They were required to join Narcotics Anonymous programmes so they would give up drugs and alcohol. This was no easy undertaking in a place where drugs and drink are readily available.
The first year was an uphill struggle due to individual temperaments and the prison’s climate of punishment and repression.
I often sensed that the guards resented the prisoners’ desire to improve themselves. Why else was it so difficult for the men to get permission to receive their materials?
Nor did their jailers make any effort to help sell the prisoners’ work or give space to those of us who wanted to help display the men’s goods. The prisoners depended upon their families to sell the finished products, and this was a slow process.
Despite the obstacles, little steps were taken. Some teachers and social workers became involved and developed leadership skills classes and other courses for the prisoners.
One man in our workshops was Francisco. At 38-years-old, he had just completed a 15 year prison term in Colina. In his youth, Francisco was involved with street children
who drank and took drugs, and he eventually suffered grave consequences for his behaviour. Fortunately, his adoptive parent stood by him throughout his imprisonment and he had the love of his 18-year-old daughter to sustain him.
When I first met Francisco in 2001, he had come a long way. Nevertheless, he continued to smoke marijuana.
I introduced him to Narcotics Anonymous and he soon realised that he would go nowhere unless he broke his habit. Soon, Francisco began to live his 24 hours "just for today."
During this time, Francisco participated in many of the workshops and took courses on the Bible and prayer organised by dedicated Catholic laity. His new commitment enabled him to learn good study habits and finish his secondary education.
Francisco told me about the joy and peace of mind he never had before. He doesn’t have any illusions about the difficulties he will face finding work after 15 years in the prison where he left his youth.
But Francisco has hope. It’s a hope shared by other prisoners who are soon to be released. They are grateful for the chance they have been given to begin a new life after the crimes they committed.
They want to put the past behind them and become useful members of Chilean society.
The road back is a long one, but, as the proverb says, the longest journey begins with the first step. There seems to be little we can do in the face of so many needs here in Chile.
But our efforts, small as they are, do make a difference.
Thanks to those who have supported us; we all are part of something small but beautiful for God.
Columban Sr Angela McKeever has been in Chile since 1976.
Creating shoes, crafts and furniture are work skills prisoners in Colina learn to give themselves better employment opportunities.
