Trinidad & Tobago

Can you imagine spending thirty-two years in prison? Or any time in prison? For most of us, this is not a typical life experience.

In early August I visited Trinidad and Tobago (TT) to attend the Ecclesial Bible School. One of my wishes was to finally visit Bro. George Constantine in the Maximum-Security Prison. My dad and mom met him in prison several times and I was moved by the depth of the letters he would regularly send them. So, I was thankful on this trip that my mom and I had been granted the opportunity to spend forty-five precious minutes with him in the prison.

Bro. George was incarcerated in 1991, and at 32 years of age was sentenced to hanging on death row. By 2024, he had spent almost half of his 62 years of life behind barbed wire, bars, and concrete. Bro. George provides a fascinating and moving testimony of his experience in the YouTube link below (I highly recommended you watch this!). In 1996 he learned the Truth behind bars when he completed bible courses advertised in the local newspaper by Bro. Marcus Heaster in the UK. Later, in 1997, brethren in Trinidad baptized him at a prison pool. In 2008, Privy Council commuted his death sentence and gradually, the prison granted him special privileges and teaching jobs within the prison in recognition of his exceptionally good behavior.

I was really looking forward to meeting George in prison. But the day after we arrived, we were greeted with much better news: George’s life sentence was nullified only hours after we landed, and he had been granted his full and unconditional release. I would not be seeing Bro. George in prison! Instead, I would be able to sit beside him, talk and laugh freely, give him a hug, and even do some hiking and birdwatching together.

After years of faithful support and visits, the brethren and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago were especially ecstatic at his release. The theme of the 2024 Bible School was ‘The Jubilee Year’ – a year in which Israel was to release slaves, and those in bondage and allow them to rejoice in their new-found freedom (Leviticus 25). Surely this was not a coincidence. And yet, no Bible study could have moved us more than an actual demonstration of God’s grace – the release of a God-fearing prisoner right before our very eyes. Bro. George was finally free! It was the year of his release, and a time to rejoice!

Imprisoned

While in Trinidad I was able to spend several days with Bro. George. He talked freely about his mistakes leading to prison, the difficulties of being incarcerated in several notoriously dangerous Caribbean prisons, the ‘freedom’ he had found in his Bible, and the relationship he was actively building with his God. His new freedom was exciting but would be a challenge!

Our visits kept me up at night. As I mulled over George’s testimony, I was reminded of several Bible characters who also experienced the horrors of prison: Joseph, Jeremiah, Samson, Daniel, Micaiah, Hanani, John the Baptist, and the apostles. Even our Lord was arrested and imprisoned. Each of these were committed to prison under false accusation, for proclaiming the Gospel, or for an unwavering observance of God’s values and standards. They “suffered for doing good … according to the will of God.” (1 Pet 3:17). Their faith, perseverance, and willingness to endure persecution and humiliation for God’s sake is inspiring to us. Furthermore, it is evident that the sincere testimony of some even led to the conversion of fellow-inmates (Acts 16:25; 33-34). Over the years, many other of Christ’s brethren and sisters have been unjustly incarcerated and even died in prison because they were not ashamed of the Gospel.

At the same time, some people have found themselves in prison and suffered here for “doing evil” (1Pe 3:17), perhaps as “a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal.” (1 Pet 4:15 NIV). Hoshea, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah and even Samson are Bible examples. Those imprisoned have been sentenced for violation and disregard of social values and laws, many of which also mirror God’s morals, laws and even commands to “submit to human authority” (1 Pet 2:13). Frequently, their behaviors are rooted in addictions, mental health challenges or reckless disregard for the lives of others.

It is encouraging that some prisoners, including followers of Christ, have reformed their lives after having ‘hit rock bottom’ behind bars. Perhaps they knew the Truth before landing in prison and reframed their sentence as an opportunity to reconsider and change the direction of their lives. Or, perhaps like Bro. George, they learned the Truth while in prison, and reset their life compass to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Whatever the case may be, if we should find ourselves in prison for our own crimes, it is an opportunity to reflect on the course of our life, submit ourselves to our sentence and period of probation, prove ourselves as honest and God fearing citizens, reach out for help to overcome the ‘demons’ that may have brought us here, and realign ourselves with our God.

Whether our own faults have brought us to prison, or our allegiance to God, God assures us that even in prison we can turn to him, and he will hear and help us. After many years, God brought Joseph out of prison. Jeremiah prayed to God and Ebedmelech rescued him from a miry pit. God’s angels orchestrated dramatic prison-breaks for Paul and the apostles. Manasseh repented in prison and God restored him and showed him grace. Psalm 107 reminds us that God can and has “redeemed” (v. 2) many from prison:

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High … then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them … He brought them out of darkness … and burst their bonds apart. (vv. 10-16 ESV).

“The Opening of the Prison”

Bro. George’s experiences also reminded me of an encouraging ‘prison promise’ that God shares with ALL of us. In Isaiah we learn of a special ‘servant’ that God would create “to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isa 42:6-7 NIV).

God expands on the role of this servant in Isaiah 35:2-6 and in Isaiah 61. In these prophecies it becomes evident that ‘prison’ here (and elsewhere) is not just a literal, physical prison, but also figurative for anything that may ‘entrap’ or bind us in this life including mental distress, emotional darkness, sin, and other life challenges that hold us captive:

The LORD hath anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. (Isa 61:1-2 ESV).

Who is this servant? Who has the power to release us from literal and figurative prisons? We know this is the Lord Jesus Christ, because He combines pieces of these verses and sends them to John the Baptist while he languished in his figurative prison of dark doubts and fears within Herod’s literal prison (Matt 11:2-5). The implication was encouraging to John – Jesus was now fulfilling these ‘prison promises,’ and John was therefore to “be strong, do not fear,” because “your God will come … to save you.” (Isa 35:4 NIV).

Strangely, but not coincidentally, Jesus leaves out Isaiah’s mention of the prison and prisoners in his message to John. Why? These words did not need to be underscored to a man already in prison. Their absence spoke volumes. John knew Isaiah’s ‘servant’ prophecies well and he would have filled in these missing pieces with great excitement. Jesus was the servant sent to open the prison to those who were bound – including himself! With tears of joy, he would have leaned on these verses, and thanked God for this hope. Though John died in prison, Jesus words reassured him that neither God nor Jesus had forgotten him. He had faithfully completed his role as a forerunner for Jesus and he would be ‘released’ from his physical and fleshly prison in the Kingdom age.

These are also encouraging verses for us if we feel ‘imprisoned’ by circumstances in our life, and especially if we find ourselves in a literal prison. Through the ‘freeing’ work of Jesus, the ultimate Year of Jubilee is already here, which Isaiah aptly describes as “the year of the LORD’s favor” (Isa 61:2). Like John, if we call out to God while in these dark prisons, and align our lives with Him, we can find, favor, help and release through His servant and Son.

Questions with Brother George

My chats with Bro. George generated many questions. On the last morning of our visit, we spent some quiet time together and he graciously answered a number for me. With his consent, I have shared a few of them below:

1. You mentioned that drugs and alcohol contributed to your ending up in prison. What appeal would you offer to young and old? If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, admit it, and please get help. If you are already struggling with life challenges, you could easily be pulled in by these, and only one try could get you hooked! So, its best stay completely clear of them – especially drugs.
2. What Bible character inspired you the most in prison? Definitely Joseph. Unlike myself, he had done nothing wrong to be there. But he kept his faith in God, and God took care of him and eventually elevated him from prison.
3. What helped you get through 32 years in prison? a) Putting faith in God. b) Being obedient to how God wanted me to live my life. c) Developing a desire to please God. d) Incredible support and prayers from brethren and sisters around the world – many I have never met. e) Keeping myself constantly and constructively occupied. For example, I worked as a teacher and maintained the gyms in the prison. I stayed out of drinking, doing nothing, homosexuality, and trafficking of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and cell phones which are high value contraband in prisons. f) Praying and reading – usually at night, often around 2 or 3 in the morning when the prison was quiet, and during the day when possible.
4. What do you feel God was teaching you while I prison? I believe God put me in prison as an opportunity to change my life. Placing me there was merciful – I still had life, I still had a chance, and I wanted to take this chance and make the most of it. During this time, God taught me obedience and how God wanted me to live my life. But also how to love our ‘fellow man’ – I was constantly surrounded by very difficult people, the worst of the worst, people that used you just to get something, that behaved, spoke and thought in awful ways – but I had to learn how to work with them, care about them, and yet serve God. This was a tough challenge!
5. How did you work through the loneliness of prison? I was surrounded by prisoners but was still very lonely at times – partly because I was trying to live a different life. I would talk to God. Visits from brothers and sisters were immensely helpful. I would write letters – at times I was writing to up to thirty people and I often received the most mail of anyone in the prison.
6. What prompted you to follow up on the ad for Christadelphian Bible courses in the prison newspaper?When I saw the advert (the size of a postage stamp), I was just beginning my spiritual journey. After several years, I saw Christianity and then the courses as a tool to support my spiritual life. I had been looking at various branches of Christianity and the courses confirmed that Christadelphians believed what the Bible taught. I completed seven courses in 1995 and 1996 and then the last question was ‘Do you want to be baptized?’ By that point, I was resolved that this was the direction I wanted to point my life, and I was baptized in 1997.
7. How did you come to accept your original sentence – that is, to be hanged on Death Row? First, I had to admit that I had done wrong and accept the consequences. But, for some reason, I always believed I would not be hanged for my crime, even though I painfully watched nine of my fellow-prisoners hanged. As I began my spiritual journey, I had a growing confidence that God would help me, and my faith really grew after my sentence was converted to a Life Term.
8. Later, after you were converted to a Life Sentence, you were granted an opportunity to be released because of your good behavior. How did you deal with the many delays in your release? This was the greatest test of my faith. It dragged on for years. I feel God was really stretching my Faith and perseverance. Prayer was a powerful help. I would talk to God and remind myself that God was more powerful than the judge. I had confidence and faith that God would eventually release me if it was His will. In the meantime, I saw my incarceration and hearings as opportunities to show I had changed and was sorry. I did everything in my power to show myself a different man – I completed all my rehabilitation, I did not commit a single offense in 32 years, and it was well-recognized and respected that I had a perfect record while I was in prison. Other prisoners with even minor blemishes on their record are still in prison. At my final hearing, the judge commended me for following the law, for my repentance, for being an example to other prisoners, and taking every available opportunity to be rehabilitated and released.
9. How will you adjust to life outside of prison? Yes, leaving prison for a drastically different world is a huge adjustment. But I am not scared about this – God has always provided and He will continue to provide and supply for my needs. After many years of help from brethren and sisters, I am looking forward to becoming a bit more self-sufficient and getting a job to support myself. But I can trust in God to help me with this next step.
10. Is there anything else you would like to add? I am very thankful for all the support and prayers of my brothers and sisters. My only remaining sibling, my brother, passed away recently and so I have no close family left. But God has given me a new family in the Truth. I know most brethren and sisters do not know me, but I hope and pray that they will come to accept me. A dear brother once reminded me that I will need to earn trust, and some will be hesitant to trust me. Like with the Apostle Paul (Saul) some may be suspicious or even bitter. I will need to accept negativity and awkward remarks. I know we have the same hope and faith and await together Jesus’s return and the Kingdom.

“Remember Them”

The experiences, transformation and resolve of Bro. George are inspiring for us all. Whether we are in prison rightfully or wrongfully, literally, or figuratively, we can take heart that God can still help us in our darkness and will be by our side if we call out to him and align our lives with Him.

If we are not in prison, God’s Word reminds us that we can still help those who languish in these poisonous circumstances. Paul encourages us to show “brotherly love” and to “remember those who are in prison as if you were together with them in prison.” (Heb 13:1-3 ESV). Christ motivates us to ‘visit those in prison,’ just as if we were visiting him when he was in prison (Matt 25:36). Depending on the circumstances, we could also write letters, pray for them, or provide other forms of encouragement, support, and instruction. By God’s grace, we have all been released from bondage (Deut 6:12). Along with Bro. George, and others who have experienced prison, we look forward together to our ultimate release in the Kingdom age.