Practicing Religion in Prison

By Mary Reyes Torres, SSPM Mercy University Intern (2025)

The mission of Mercy University's History Majors Internship Program at the Sing Sing Prison Museum is to teach museum and archives practices, non-profit administration, museum office culture and professional practices, and/or public education methods through project-based work and hands-on activities. The students’ projects include research, writing, and collecting information and resources. Students see first hand how history is applicable to the workplace. At the end of each internship, students create something intended for the museum's audiences.

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Introduction

Incarceration is one of the most challenging experiences a person can endure. The isolation, loss of freedom, and emotional weight of separation from loved ones often lead people to search for deeper meaning, comfort, and healing. For many incarcerated individuals, religion becomes a lifeline. One of the religions people turn to is Christianity, specifically becoming a Jehovah’s Witness. I wanted to explore how Jehovah’s Witnesses practice their religion inside prison and how it shapes the lives of incarcerated individuals. Drawing from interviews with an individual who has experienced the faith in prison and a volunteer who preaches to incarcerated individuals, my inquiry will provide insight into the emotional and transformative effects of Jehovah's Witness teachings in a prison setting. Having grown up as a Jehovah’s Witness myself, I am familiar with the profound impact of Bible study on personal development and spirituality. My goal is to understand how the same spiritual path is followed within prison and what impact it has on inmates both emotionally and in terms of personal change.

I interviewed with two groups: incarcerated Jehovah’s Witnesses who practiced their faith
during their sentences and volunteers who regularly visit prisons to share Bible teachings. The
purpose of these interviews was to gather perspectives both from those inside the prison system
and those who serve as religious outreach. I aimed to answer two primary questions: how is religion practiced differently inside prison walls, and how does preaching Jehovah’s message feel when shared in such an intense environment? In addition to conducting interviews, I also
referenced sources from the Jehovah’s Witnesses website, which outlines their practices and beliefs, and relevant academic articles about the impact of prison reform and rehabilitation through faith.

The interviews were conducted with three individuals: Efren and Monse, a married couple. Efren was incarcerated and later met his wife after his incarceration period. And Esmeralda, a volunteer who preaches to incarcerated women. These interviews provide insights into the ways Jehovah’s Witnesses practice their faith in prison and the challenges they face. I asked questions to both groups and listened to their experiences.

Photo courtesy of JW.org

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Esmeralda's Interview

Esmeralda, a volunteer who ministers to incarcerated individuals, shared her experiences of working with incarcerated women and offering Bible study. Below are the questions and answers
from her interview.

1. How long have you been preaching in prisons?​
Esmeralda began preaching during the start of the pandemic by writing letters to incarcerated
women. These letters were part of her initial outreach, as she corresponded with female inmates.
In March 2024, she began going inside prisons to encourage unbaptized publishers (people who can preach to others, but aren't baptized), offering further support to those who were interested in studying the Bible.

2. What inspired you to begin preaching to incarcerated individuals?
Esmeralda was initially nervous but was inspired by hearing others’ experiences of witnessing in prisons. She attended a bible conference in upstate New York, where she heard stories of those involved in prison ministry, and it struck her that this was an opportunity to help others in need of guidance. She decided to take the step to apply and became involved after being interviewed by the elders in her congregation, who believed she would be a good candidate to go inside prisons and help incarcerated women with the bible.

3. What kind of responses do you get from incarcerated individuals?
Esmeralda shared that many of the incarcerated women respond positively to the Bible study,
with some sharing how it has profoundly changed their lives. Some incarcerated women even
help other inmates by sharing their newfound understanding of Jehovah’s teachings. She also
talked about how the incarcerated women at the Bedford Hills maximum-security prison hold the
Memorial of Jesus Christ, reflecting the sincerity of their faith. She emphasized that the Bible
helps many incarcerated women navigate their circumstances and become better individuals.

4. What material did you use to teach about the Bible?
Esmeralda primarily used letters to correspond with incarcerated individuals, where she discussed key topics such as Jehovah’s character and the importance of repentance. When writing letters, she would ask if they wanted specific bible-based reading material sent to them. In the prison, the Watchtower study is conducted twice a month, and if ten incarcerated women attend, it can be held weekly. This study covers various Bible teachings, including the message of hope and redemption for those who turn to Jehovah.

5. What advice would you give to new volunteers working in prisons, or who are interested
in doing so?
Esmeralda’s advice is to put in your application and allow Jehovah to use you to help people in
need. She emphasized the importance of seeing incarcerated men and women as individuals who made mistakes, not as irredeemable people. She reminded volunteers not to judge inmates but to show them compassion and support in their spiritual journey. The act of helping someone turn their life around is, in Esmeralda’s words, “an honor.”

6. What role does forgiveness play in your message?
Forgiveness is central to Esmeralda’s message. She often writes to incarcerated women about the importance of repentance and how Jehovah forgives those who truly seek to change. Forgiveness is also emphasized in the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, encouraging incarcerated women to forgive themselves and others, a crucial step in their rehabilitation process.

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Efren and Monse's Interview

Monse and Efren are a married couple from California. Efren was in prison for 4 years due to drug and alcohol abuse. He later met his wife Monse after his sentence was completed. Monses talks about her husband as a changed man; he is a family man. Always with his kids, and is an amazing husband, she is glad he became a Jehovah's Witness.

1. How did you first get introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison?

• Efren: Efren’s introduction to Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison came after struggling with addiction and being incarcerated. Though he had some prior knowledge of the faith through his mother, it was in prison that he began to engage more seriously with Jehovah’s teachings, using prayer to guide him through difficult times.
• Monse: Monse was introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses through her husband’s family. She wasn't devoted to another religion before.

2. What made you want to learn more about the Bible?

• Efren: Efren was motivated by his desire to change his life. After his struggles with addiction, he realized he needed a deeper purpose and connection. Bible study provided him with the guidance he needed to overcome his past and move toward a better future, for himself and his daughter.
• Monse: For Monse, the Bible became a source of comfort after the loss of a loved one. The teachings provided her with understanding and peace during a time of great grief. She continued studying to find meaning in her suffering and to embrace the hope of the resurrection.

3. Did you feel judged or accepted during the studies? How did other incarcerated individuals treat you for practicing your faith?

• Efren: In prison, Efren initially felt that his faith might make him vulnerable to judgment from other incarcerated men. The prison culture, particularly the emphasis on “machismo,” led him to believe that studying the Bible publicly would be seen as a sign of weakness. Despite this, he persevered in his faith, knowing it was the path to a better life. He continued to pray and seek Jehovah while in prison.
• Monse: Monse had the challenge of maintaining her faith while dealing with pressure from her family specifically, her father. Once her father saw how devoted she was, he began to respect the choices she made about religion.

4. What was the biggest lesson you learned from the Bible?

• Efren: The biggest lesson Efren learned from the Bible was the power of redemption. He realized that despite his past mistakes, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice offered him the opportunity for a new beginning, and through repentance, he could live a happy and fulfilling life.
• Monse: Monse’s favorite Bible story is that of Jonah. She learned that Jehovah is a loving Father who forgives, even when we don’t listen to Him. This lesson has given her peace, especially when facing personal challenges.

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5. Do you think you would go back to prisons to preach to incarcerated people now?

• Efren: Efren is interested in prisons and preaching, having seen firsthand how Bible study and faith can transform lives. He feels a deep responsibility to help others find the same hope and peace that he found during his time incarcerated. 
• Monse: She would support her husband and preach in prisons. She believes in helping others get closer to religion and seeks guidance to help them overcome their personal struggles with guilt, doubt, and forgiveness.

Conclusion

These interviews have provided profound insights into the role of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the rehabilitation process within prisons. The personal stories of Efren, Monse, and Esmeralda show how religion, particularly through Bible study and spiritual guidance can offer incarcerated individuals hope, direction, and a path to personal transformation. Through my interviews, I learned that, while incarceration is a physically isolating experience, it doesn’t have to be spiritually isolating. Reading the bible and seeking God can help fill that void by providing a sense of community and purpose, even behind prison walls. And Jehovah’s Witnesses preach to
incarcerated individuals to help them learn more about the bible and answer any questions they
have.

In reflecting on these interviews, I have gained a deeper understanding of how spiritual support can help individuals not only cope with the emotional challenges of prison life but also transform their future. The practice of offering Bible study in prisons, through writing letters or direct preaching, is not just a form of religious practice; it is a form of rehabilitation that supports emotional and personal growth. This research has opened my eyes to the critical role that
volunteers like Esmeralda play in providing incarcerated individuals with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. It also made me reflect on how such practices could be further expanded to help more people who are in need of spiritual and emotional support.

This research has prompted me to think critically about the role of religion and forgiveness in rehabilitation. How can we expand opportunities for spiritual growth within the prison system? And how can society better support individuals who are striving to change? These questions remain central to the ongoing conversation about prison reform and rehabilitation.

Sources:
Miriam and Adrian for providing people to interview.
Esmeralda, from Westchester County, New York
Monse and Efren, from California
1. https://www.jw.org/en/gov-resources/global-information-brochures/brochure-
jehovahs-witnesses-prison-ministry/
2. https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/g20010508/Prisons-in-Crisis/