ISKCON PRISON MINISTRY

BRINGING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS

By Bhakti-lata Dasi

There are few places as full of darkness and despair as prisons. There, inmates are isolated from the world, surrounded by bad association, with deplorable food, an almost constant threat of danger, without true guidance and with few opportunities for growth. It’s a life in survival mode. Prisons are filled with criminals; in other words, prisons are filled with ideal candidates for the mercy of Lord Caitanya, who came especially to save the most fallen. Prabhupada spread this mercy all over the world; he even visited the New Delhi prison, in 1962, where he said, “If you give me the chance to speak to all the members of the Jail, it is quite possible for me to turn them into ideal characters.” The prison ministry is an attempt to assist him in this work.

Prison life is miserable. In the “free” world, we have moments of material satisfaction and

happiness, with new experiences and ample opportunities. Those elements are almost non-existent in a prison environment. Prison means a lot of anguish, loneliness, oppression, anger, and frustration. The monotony is crushing. Each new day only brings more of the same; eating poor, unappealing food, uncomfortable sleep (often in suffocating heat), and pointless routines. Day after day. And for those who are there for life, there’s not a lot of light at the end of that tunnel. In that profound material wasteland, what inmates need the most is a sense of purpose and direction. Coming in contact with Kṛṣṇa consciousness gives them a practical way to connect with Kṛṣṇa. All at once, they have a purpose, a way of life, and a mission, Once they know about the holy name, they have access to Kṛṣṇa is the most powerful way. They can utter Kṛṣṇa’s name and Krishna is there with them. They just need to think about Krishna and Krishna is there with them. They can talk to someone about Krishna, share a book, and Krishna is right there with them. Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be practiced anywhere, anytime, by anyone. It is the most portable means of self-realization; the greatest gift.

Devotees can bring light to inmates by helping them to see Kṛṣṇa’s presence even in the darkness of prison life. In a conversation with a reporter, in 1974, Srila Prabhupada said, “God is everything. God is darkness, also. Therefore the Srimad-Bhagavatam clearly defines God as ‘that being from whom emanates everything that exists.’ Light exists, yet darkness also exists. So just as light emanates from God, darkness also emanates from God.”

The real suffering is not to be in prison; the real suffering is to not be able to see Kṛṣṇa while in prison. Devotees can help inmates by putting them in contact with Prabhupada through his books (and sometimes through his audio recordings and videos). Prabhupada said that “religion means to abide by the laws of God.” To be able to do that, one need to know who God is and what His laws are. To get that information, one has to receive it from someone who has it, who has realized it. Prabhupada imparts this knowledge in his books.

A name of Kṛṣṇa is “Dina Bandhu,” “Friend of the poor.” We have the privilege of introducing inmates to their best Friend, their eternal Friend, who has always been, is always, and will always be with them. With this most meaningful of connection, their life is changed forever. Even if their external circumstances don’t change, their life becomes enriched in the most impactful way. And sometimes, even their external circumstances change. Some even experience practical miracles.

For example, an inmate had been in solitary, where mail was not allowed; however, for some inexplicable reason, the guards gave him the ten back issues of BTG I had sent him. He was really surprised, delighted, and completely bewildered as to how that was even possible.
Another inmate recounted that he had feelingly prayed to Kṛṣṇa, declaring his intention to surrender to Him. The very next day he was given a prison job that was coveted by many but rarely obtained, and that without him having even requested it. Everyone around him was astonished.
One time an inmate told me he had dreamed that Prabhupada had visited him in his cell, smiling radiantly, and speaking some Sanskrit verses.

There are even many chaplains and other prison officials who appreciate and are favorable to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Some chaplains partner with us to assist in bringing Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the inmates. A chaplain in Nebraska asked me to send him 25 Freedom Newsletters every month, and he gives them to inmates; he’s been doing that for the last couple of years.

And for over a year, when we had the funds,

I was sending about 382 back issues of the BTG to 18 chaplains (some wanted 5 copies, some 50), and they would hand them out themselves. That was a fantastic program.

A few days ago, I received the following email, “The Bhagavad Gita As It Is helped me a lot in my life and I would like to order a copy for the library here. I am an academic instructor at LCF. I am also wondering how I can help to reverse the ban on the Bhagavad- Gita As It Is.”

—Diogo Segovia, Lake City, Florida

On the subject of the ban on the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the lawsuit has been filed. Some new outlets have picked up the story. You can view this short video from TimesXP on YouTube.

For more details, please see the May/August 2026 IPM NEWS, on our website: IskconPrisonMinistry.org

And here is an article that had been written before the case was filed.

Thank you, all of you (volunteers, well-wishers and donors), who make this prison ministry possible. It is truly a team effort.

Please pray that I may have the determination and stamina to do this service for years to come.

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NOTE:

This article is just a part of IPM NEWS, our bi-monthly electronic newsletter. To read whole issues, please go to: http://www.iskconprisonministry.org/

If you wish to receive it in your mailbox, simply email me at iskconprisonministry@gmail.com with “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line.

More excerpts of inmate letters and also their artwork are available on our website at: IskconPrisonMinistry.org