The shock of going into the Federal Prison in La Ceiba in 1991 (ish) was almost overwhelming.
When I realised we were going into the main prison by ourselves and there were no guards inside, I was gripped by fear.
The whole of that first visit I wanted nothing more that to get back out. I hated feeling like that – and was ashamed of myself for my feelings of fear. To be frank I didn’t want anyone to know that I was scared.
The good thing (I thought at least) was that I’d probably never need to go back.
But we did the next day – and I was confronted by the decision not to go, and maybe miss out on something God had for me – or go, and once again go through the terrible range of emotions – mostly fear.
So I told someone about my fear – someone I trusted – they prayed a short prayer – and when I went back – my heart had changed – no fear – actually great joy, and a new passion.
This is a photo of that prison from the outside – a wild place – 36 men in a cell – six stacks of six-high bunk beds in a cell – no mattresses – cardboard over springs.
It’s true these men and women had mostly committed terrible crimes – but not all of them – and even those that have – their own stories are often harrowing as well.