Prisoner

Moral duties of prisoners (toward self-reform)

Make stumbling blocks stepping-stones to progress; set feet on right path by facing failure, but will be tested by how to take punishment (i.e., not being bitter at imprisonment) and advised to turn face to the future

"We Bahá'ís firmly believe that it is possible, if we have the right spirit, to make our stumbling blocks stepping-stones to progress. You have already, through at last facing yourself and acknowledging that you have both failed and erred in managing your life so far, set your feet on the right path. But now this new and spiritual condition in you is going to be proved--and the proving, the testing, will surely consist of the way you determine to take your punishment.

"Life is based on laws: physical, man-made, and spiritual. As you have broken the laws of the society in which you live, you will have to stand up like a man and take your punishment. The spirit in which you do this is the most important thing, and constitutes a great opportunity for you. He (the Guardian) advises you to turn your face towards the future, to realise that when you are set free you have loving and helpful friends to go to, an upright job awaiting you, and you can also become active in serving our glorious Faith. So really everything lies before you. But at present, until your sentence is up, you must live within yourself in a way not to spoil the new future awaiting you. You must not become bitter--for after all you are only reaping what you planted. Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, through no crime of their own, spent the better part of their lives in exile and imprisoned, but they never became embittered although they were the victims of injustice. You, on the other hand, are the victim of injustice which you have inflicted on yourself-- therefore you certainly have no right to be bitter towards the world.

"He urges you to grasp firmly the teachings of our Faith, the love of your family and many Bahá'í friends, to put the past behind entirely, realising that it can do you no more harm; on the contrary, through changing you and making you spiritually aware, this very past can be a means of enriching your life in the future! He will certainly ardently pray for your happiness, your victory over yourself, and that you may become an exemplary and active Bahá'í."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 8 April 1948, Unfolding Destiny, pp. 449-450)

Make every stumbling-block a stepping-stone to progress; not to be embittered or defeated by past stumbling, but make it means of purifying

"He is very happy to see that you have put into practice one of the most encouraging precepts of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in which He said that we should try and make every stumbling-block a stepping-stone to progress. In the course of your past life you have all stumbled very gravely; but, far from being embittered or defeated by this experience, you are determined to make it a means of purifying your natures, improving your characters, and enabling you to become better citizens in the future. This is truly pleasing in the eyes of God."

(From a letter dated 26 March 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Kitalya Farm Prison; in Living the Life, no. 1338)

To manfully face future and accept sanction of society for anti-social conduct, realizing situation can be cause of reform

"He (the Guardian) encouraged him to face manfully the future, accept the legitimate sanction of society as punishment for his admittedly anti-social conduct, and realise that his very suffering, humiliation and punishment can--if he will let it--be the means of freeing him from many of his past weaknesses and mistakes, and making him a worthy member of society. He should look to the future, for there is in his power, with Bahá'u'lláh's help, to shape into a worthy and constructive way of life...."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 451)

Prisoner not to grieve at being in a temporary prison; better to pray to God for forgiveness and be free from prison of nature; God to solve every difficulty

"O thou who art firm in the Covenant, thy letter was received. Thou hast exerted a great effort for that prisoner, perchance it may prove to be fruitful. Tell him, however: `The denizens of the world are confined in the prison of nature--a prison that is continuous and eternal. If thou art at present restrained within the limits of a temporary prison, be not grieved at this; my hope is that thou mayest be emancipated from the prison of nature and may attain unto the court of everlasting life. Pray to God day and night and beg forgiveness and pardon. The omnipotence of God shall solve every difficulty.'"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 82, p. 116)

In the great continent of the West (North America), perfect liberty of a just government is enjoyed; no greater blessing than liberty (from unjust imprisonment)

"The radiance and spirituality of this meeting is through the favor of God. Our hearts are uplifted in thankfulness to Him. Praise be to God! You are living upon the great continent of the West, enjoying the perfect liberty, security and peace of this just government. There is no cause for sorrow or unhappiness anywhere; every means of happiness and enjoyment is about you, for in this human world there is no greater blessing than liberty. You do not know. I, who for forty years have been a prisoner, do know. I do know the value and blessing of liberty. For you have been and are now living in freedom, and you have no fear of anybody. Is there a greater blessing than this? Freedom! Liberty! Security! These are the great bestowals of God. Therefore, praise ye God! I will now pray in your behalf. ..."

(`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 52)

(To `Abdu'l-Bahá, a prison is freedom (in the path of the love of God))

"Regarding my freedom: To me prison is freedom; to me incarceration is an open court; to me humility is identical with glory; to me adversity is a gift and death is life. I hope that thou wilt also take a portion from this sea and seek a reflection from these lights, becoming an ignited lamp so that the winds of contradiction will not blow it out, and day by day more revelation and vision may descend, and thou be enkindled more than before with the fire of the love of God."

(`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 725)

Duties toward prisoners

Kindness, training, and education to prisoners is exceedingly important; highly praiseworthy to teach them the Faith; to strive to become renowned in character and knowledge

"Convey on behalf of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to thy respected wife my Abha greetings, and say: `Kindness, training and education extended to prisoners is exceedingly important. Therefore as thou hast exerted an effort in this, hast awakened some of them, and hast been the cause of the turning of their faces to the divine Kingdom, this praiseworthy deed is highly acceptable. Assuredly persevere. Convey on my behalf to the two prisoners in San Quentin the utmost kindness, and tell them: `That prison in the sight of wise souls is a school of training and development. Ye must strive with heart and soul that ye may become renowned in character and knowledge.'"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 83, pp. 116-117)

Teaching Bahá’í Faith in prisons is commendable

"...the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land have shared with us a portion of the February 3rd letter of ... referring to teaching in the prison in ... ... this teaching work is commendable...

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, February 9, 1972: Extract from a letter written to another National Spiritual Assembly, June 11, 1964; in Lights of Guidance, no. 25)

Bahá’í Administration and prisoners; administrative rights of prisoners

May accept declarations from prison inmates, but voting can only be after discharged from prison

"We have your letter of 16th November, 1969 inquiring about the status of Bahá'ís who are imprisoned and whether it is permissible to enroll prisoners who wish to join the Faith.

"You are free to accept declarations of faith from inmates of a prison, but their participation as voting believers can take place only after they have been discharged from prison. The fact of having been in prison does not deprive a Bahá'í from exercising his voting rights when he is released and there is no need for a probationary period. However, if there is some other factor which would indicate to the National Assembly that in a particular case the voting rights should be suspended, the National Assembly may then exercise its discretion."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean, December 8, 1969; in Lights of Guidance, no. 263)

"Also there is no reason why a prisoner should not be accepted as a declared believer on the same basis as anybody else. They are now expiating their crime against society, and, if their hearts have changed, and they accept the Cause, there is no reason why they should be excluded from membership."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Spiritual Assembly of Honolulu, April 23, 1955; in Lights of Guidance, no. 251)

Prisoners cannot undertake administrative responsibilities nor form Local Assemblies in prison (though Feasts and Holy Days may be observed and participate in administrative affairs after returning to their communities)

"...the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land have shared with us a portion of the February 3rd letter of ... referring to teaching in the prison in ... and to the formation of Local Assemblies in cell blocks. While this teaching work is commendable those who accept Bahá'u'lláh under these conditions cannot undertake administrative responsibilities, nor can Local Assemblies be formed in prisons. However, they may observe Nineteen Day Feasts, Bahá'í Holy Days, and other Bahá'í events. When they return to their own communities they may participate in administrative affairs as well."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, February 9, 1972: Extract from a letter written to another National Spiritual Assembly, June 11, 1964; in Lights of Guidance, no. 25)