Jesus Fraternity
Jesus Fraternity
(Prison Ministry India – Kerala Region)
1)Origin and development
The tiny seed of love, which had been sown through the divine intervention into the fertile soil of human hearts of a few, has now grown into a large tree providing a cool and gentle shade to many who feel frustrated, disappointed and broken spending their life in the dark cells of prison. Christ Himself – the most powerful and dynamic bomb that was once exploded and broken into pieces on Calvary out of love for humanity, is the one who sowed this seed, transforming a few into bombs of love.
The movement of giving expression to this love started like a pilgrimage in 1985 with Fr. Varghese Karipperry and Fr. Francis Kodiyan at the forefront. A few energetic and enthusiastic seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary, Vadavathoor, filled with the zeal of the Lord joined this pilgrimage in 1986. The KCBC accepted this movement and adjoined it to the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development, on 9th September 1989 under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarackal. The state office was opened at POC, Palarivattom with Fr. Joseph Mackoli as the first director.
The same movement known as Jesus Fraternity, with a focus on the renewed life those in prison, their families and those of the victims of various crimes offences in the society today functions under the guidance of Mar Mathew Arackal, the chairman and Fr. Joy Tharackal, the director and Dr. Jose Karekatt MSFS, the Assist. Director. The movement has grown statewide having 46 units which minister to prison inmates and 9 centers to minister to the released prisoners and the children from the poor families of the prison inmates. Among these 9 centers, 2 are for men, 3 for women and 4 for children. A good number of priests, religious and laity join hands to pray and work for these categories of people in the society.
There are 1397 prisons in India containing approximately three lacks prisoners, the ministry has grown into countrywide under the title – Prison Ministry India, which was approved by the CBCI on 27th April 2000 – the Great jubilee Year. The PMI has its head office in Bangalore and Fr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, as the national coordinator.
2)Background Information
Jesus Fraternity is a Church Organization established in 1985 and approved by the Peace, Justice and Development Commission of Kerala Catholic Bishop’s Council in 1989.This focuses its attention on the correction, reformation and rehabilitation of those in prison, the welfare and integral development of their children, families, the victims and their families. It also attempts to orient its services to prevent the potential criminals and delinquents. At present it has been operating in all the central prisons and jails in Kerala offering various religious and non – religious services to all categories of people, irrespective of their caste, creed, sex and colour. As such it has been widely accepted and appreciated by the state department as a voluntary agency and by majority of the masses. The Church in Kerala through this agency caters approximately to 8000 prisoners and to a double number of others. The organization has 46 units to serve those who are already in prison, carrying the message of Jesus compassionate and forgiving love into the prisons walls.
The ministry attempts to help not only the prison inmates but also their children and families on the road to a positive return to their normal life in the society. It also extends its boundaries of services to the victims of various crimes and their families, preparing the ground for reconciliation between the families of victims and the offenders and their families.
The agency try to help those prisoners already released through an immediate program of rehabilitation through 5 centers across the state. They remain in these centers for a period of 6 months before they get into their families inorder to be attuned to the society and family. Following is the list of these 5 centers :
Snehasramam Vettukad
Santhinivas pathadipalam
Snehasramam Manvila
Karunyasramam Thoppil
Snehadeepam Kanjirappally
These centeres contain around 7 men, 15 women and 10 children, helping them to form a better life style and behavioral pattern before they get back to their families and society. These centers do not have a supportive fund but run on the assistance of the generosity and good will of the people around, which is often meager.
3. Goal of the organization
The specific goal of this ministry is : the overall welfare and integral development of prisoners and their families, their victims and their families with the hope for a crimeless and peaceful society, being at the greater service of God, holding high the sacrificial and compassionate love of Christ who died a criminal ‘s death.
4. Activities of Organization
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Prison visit
‘’ I was in prison, you visited me’’(Mt. 25: 36). Visit to the prisoners is a divine call by Jesus Himself who was Himself in prison. Adhering to this divine call the members faithfully and regularly visit the prisoners on a weekly basis. This visit helps them to talk and share their difficulties and the agony of loneliness and disappointment they experience in prison.
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Liturgical and spiritual celebrations in prison
The inmates are offered the possibilities of fulfilling their spiritual obligations while they are in prison. The catholic inmates are provided with the opportunity of attending the Eucharist and to make their confessions. Every unit functions under a prison chaplain who also works as the unit director. Other non – catholic inmates are provided with other spiritual opportunities such as prayer services, retreats, meditation, recitation of rosaries or other prayers etc.
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Legal and parole aid
The poor and under privileged inmates are supported with a legal aid if they are incapable of proceeding with their cases in the higher courts for a better justice and sentence. The organization strives to provide such inmates with a lawyer who will take up their cases in the court.
The organization in many places endeavors to provide bail services to inmates who have no one to support with security and those who have never received a parole.
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Work and counseling program in prison
Foreseeing the positive return and reintegration of those already in prison the movement attempts to provide job oriented work programs in prison with the permission of the concerned authorities. Therefore the movement has initiated tailoring for female prisoners, and other vocational skills in prison both for men and women.
Counseling is made available to the prisoners in prison with the help of those qualified in counseling. This service temporarily alleviates their feeling of loneliness, disappointment and frustration while they are in prison. Many eagerly await for this service.
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Cultural and Recreational programs
The organization attempts to help the inmates to learn some values and messages in order to correct and reform their character and life with various cultural programs, which would bring in some message to them. The movement tries to stage orchestra, drama, dance and other awareness programs in prison with a view to their correction and reformation. The inmates are furnished with sports programs in prison for which the movement provides sports items on prison.
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Aid to Families
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Scholarship to children
The children from the poor families of both prisoners and those of the victims of various crimes, who find it hard to continue their education due to their financial constrains are provided with an yearly scholarship. They are also given other helps such as books and clothes in preparation to commence their schooling at the very beginning of the academic year.
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Insurance coverage
Jesus Fraternity focusing at an integral growth and development seeks to provide the poor families of prisoners and their victims and their families with an insurance policy to support them when they are hit with tragedies of sickness or other dangers.
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Financial and other supports
Genuine and deserving cases are given serious consideration for a financial support at the time of marriage of their girls, while making a moderate house to live with dignity like others in society. Occasionally the organization itself shoulders the responsibility of arranging the marriage of the girls from poor families of both prisoners as well as those from the families of the victims of offences.
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Get – together
Every year at the time of Christmas and New Year by the initiative of the organization the children from the poor families of both the prison inmates and victims, the released prisoners who undergo post rehabilitation programs at various centers come together to celebrate Christmas. They share their joy together and receive gifts. Another gathering is hoisted for children alone during the summer every year.
5. Structure of Jesus Fraternity
i. Chairman
ii. Vice – chairman
iii. State Unit
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State Director
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State secretary
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Executive Committee
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General Body
iv . Zonal Units -8
Zonal Director & Zonal Secretary
v. Local Units – 51
Unit Director
Secretary
Members
vi. Rehabilitation Units – 5
Director
Program coordinator
Secretary
