God Is Working inside ‘America’s Toughest Prison’

A recent Newsweek cover story took a look inside what the magazine called America’s toughest prison.” The article detailed the history and the horrors of Eastham Prison in east Texas. CHRISTIANITY TODAY asked Houston journalist Edward Fudge to interview Vance Drum, the prison’s Protestant chaplain, about how God is working in the lives of inmates at Eastham Prison.

How accurate is the Newsweek article that describes Eastham as “America’s toughest prison”?

The article is fairly accurate as far as it goes. This prison has been particularly brutal. Since I started working here in February 1985, there have been two murders and three suicides, and one guard was stabbed. What the Newsweek article doesn’t say is that God is doing many great things inside Eastham prison.

This prison houses 2,500 maximum-security inmates, almost all repeat offenders. Although they don’t realize it, many of them are looking for God, and some have found him. God is changing lives at Eastham.

How do you minister to the inmates?

I try to facilitate steady spiritual progress among them. I supervise a Sunday school program and three weekly services, teach a Bible study and classes for those scheduled to be baptized, and lead a weekly evangelism workshop. I also provide group and individual counseling and direct a weekly leadership meeting for 15 inmates who serve as elders and deacons in the prison church.

Describe the prison church.

The church is made up of a cohesive fellowship of believers with its own servant leaders. Approximately 100 men—black, white, and Hispanic—attend Sunday morning services. This alone demonstrates Christ’s power to tear down walls of racial prejudice and hatred in a depraved environment.

There is widespread public suspicion of “jailhouse religion.” Are these men really sincere about their faith?

A majority of the men have genuinely turned to God. Some hypocrites come to church here, just as they do outside prison walls. I don’t mind, though. When they get there, God might speak to them. I try to help each man gain an awareness of what God has done in Christ, and to prepare each one to live a Christian life inside prison and also when he gets out.

How have you seen God’s Spirit at work in inmates’ lives?

A spirit of generosity has come over men who before were only takers. This summer, one of our believers who is serving a life sentence for murder suggested an offering box to benefit indigent prisoners. Donors contribute such items as soap, deodorant, stamps, combs, or toothpaste. Any truly needy inmate can take items from the box for his personal needs.

I have also seen God work to resolve church squabbles. Some weeks ago, two deacons had a loud shouting match. I could do little except urge them to work out their problem. That night, one of the men told me he had gone to the other brother and asked his forgiveness. In prisons, forbearance and forgiveness are rare.

What price do these Christians pay for following Jesus?

Before the Texas prison reforms of 1983, I understand there was more violent, outward persecution of believing inmates. Today the persecution is more subtle. Some unbelievers might deride a Christian for attending church, or laugh at him for reading the Bible. On the whole, though, most committed Christians have earned respect at Eastham.

When do you sense God’s presence the most at Eastham?

On Sunday morning. Inmates lead the church service, except for the chaplain’s prayer and message. The service begins with hearty worship choruses, accompanied by drums, tambourine, organ, and electric guitar. Those are followed by traditional hymns. The meeting climaxes with Communion, which uses an ancient liturgy adapted to the prison situation.

Worshipers come to the altar for Communion, where they also receive a hug or handshake from me or a church leader. This is a joyful time that celebrates reconciliation with God and each other. The interracial fellowship demonstrates the unity of Christ’s body. It is a real example to the prison that these Christians love each other.

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