For God so loved the world that God sent the only Son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Charles Colson writes the following:

As one who has served time in prison and has since spent most of his life working in them, I’ll never forget the most unusual prison I’ve ever visited.

Called Humaita Prison, it is in Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil. Formerly a government prison, it is now operated by Prison Fellowship Brazil as an alternative prison, without armed guards or high-tech security. Instead, it is run on the Christian principles of love of God and respect for humanity.

Humaita has only two full-time staff; the rest of the work is done by the 730 inmates serving time for everything from murder and assault to robbery and drug-related crimes. Every man is assigned another inmate to whom he is accountable. In addition, each prisoner is assigned a volunteer mentor from the outside who works with him during his term and after his release. Prisoners take classes on character development and are encouraged to participate in educational and religious programs.

When I visited this prison, I found the inmates smiling—particularly the murderer who held the keys, opened the gates and let me in. Wherever I walked, I saw men at peace. I saw clean living areas. I saw people working industriously. The walls were decorated with motivational sayings and scriptures references.

Humaita has an astonishing record. Its recidivism rate is 4 percent, compared to 75 percent in the rest of Brazil. How is that possible?

I saw the answer when my inmate guide escorted me to the notorious cell once used for solitary confinement. Today, he told me, it always houses the same inmate. As we reached the end of the long concrete corridor, and he put the key in the lock, he paused and asked, “Are you sure you want to go in?”

“Of course,” I replied impatiently. “I’ve been in isolation cells all over the world.” Slowly he swung open the massive door, and I saw the prisoner in that cell: a crucifix, beautifully carved—Jesus, hanging on the cross.

“He’s doing time for the rest of us,” my guide said softly.

God of mercy, how can anyone ever repay the debt that Your Son paid for all of us. My we stand in awe of such a tremendous sacrifice!