Rev. Diane Garcia on encountering God in jail

My Experience at Rikers Island

I was on my way to jail. As I crossed over the bridge from the New York City borough of Queens to Rikers Island, the world’s largest penal colony, I was experiencing so many emotions I could hardly sit still in my bus seat. Fortunately, I was not going to jail because I was convicted but because of my convictions.

For almost three years since God first placed a desire in my heart to be a corrections chaplain, I had dreamed of making this trip to Rikers (a place most New Yorkers cannot even find on a map). After months of networking, I was finally invited to participate in ‘The Adoption Program’ of the Rose M. Singer Center (Rosie’s) on the second Saturday of each month. Nevertheless, riding on the bus that first morning, I was nervous. I had been told that the Corrections Officers (CO’s) would be rude and perhaps even abusive. I had also been told the inmates would be uncooperative, angry and bitter. Neither of those predictions came true.

At Rosie’s I ministered to Hispanic Christian women inmates who do not speak English and who do not want to speak with a male chaplain. I also participated in the Protestant worship services which were attended by approximately 10% of the inmate population. It was an incredible experience to be in the midst of inmates praising God in song and prayers. If I didn’t know where we were, I never would have guessed that we were inside the walls of ‘The Rock’ (as most inmates call Rikers Island).

When I tell people that I went to Rikers Island twice a month, they find it difficult to understand my passion and my deep desire to share God’s love in such a setting. Further, when I tell them that I believe that God is calling me to work in a female corrections facility, many look at me like I’m crazy (and some tell me that I am!). However, I believe that God’s transforming, saving power can reach everywhere – even there. This was confirmed each time that I listened to testimonies from inmates who related their encounter (and sometimes, re-encounter) with God in jail. Moreover, God re-affirmed His call to me as a corrections chaplain through the looks on their faces, their expressions of gratitude, and their invitations to return.

I am also fully aware that these women are there because they have broken the law. I am conscious that I can offer my best chaplaincy skills if – in addition to offering spiritual care – I am alert, cautious, and vigilant about establishing and maintaining boundaries.

The first time I crossed the bridge going to Rikers, I saw the sign which claims that the CO’s are ‘The World’s Boldest.’ The words of Jesus were very real in my heart and mind: “I was in prison, and you visited me…if you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to Me.” (Matthew 25:36, 40) It occurred to me that, as God’s representative, I must also be bold as I go in His Name to minister to the imprisoned.

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