Ms. Park Jeong Soon, 50
Prison Counselor from Gwangju
Could you describe your work at prisons?
It’s been one year since my husband and I started. We’re both Christians. Once a week we go to prison and have mass with the convicts and become like family to them. I bring some food and share news, or listen to stories about prison life. I took a course at university to train for this work. It’s not for everyone. A nun recommended me. The mass takes one hour once a week. Before the mass we sing together and the nuns give a sermon. When we have a social gathering, it takes 90 minutes. Also, there’s a sports event for the prisoners twice a year. The conditions are improving. My husband suggested we help them materially, but I think giving of ourselves, giving our time, is more important.What sort of training is provided?
To learn about why convicts commit crimes. I received a certificate of counseling but feel I’m not ready yet. People think there are many crimes committed here in Korea, but it’s not so high, especially compared to the US and other countries. There are 2500 to 3000 prisoners in the Gwangju area and 60,000 in all of Korea.What moved you to work with prisoners?
I realized that Jesus taught, do not hate the criminal, hate the crime. I think it’s wise. Also, if we were in their situation we would probably do the same thing. Some people make mistakes or commit crimes compulsively so having a mass with them, and being like family with them will help them reform.Have you witnessed a good result?
Recently one convict was released and found a girlfriend and wanted to buy a thank-you dinner for those who helped him. The chief of volunteers said it’s the first time she saw a person like that who reformed. Later however they found he was still a crook. The chief was so disappointed and disillusioned she stopped going to mass. If you can change one convict out of 100, that’s successful.Have you ever had a frightening experience in prison?
No. I had many preconceptions but most of the convicts have been nice and good natured. One guy was pardoned to commemorate March 1 Independence Day, the day we were liberated from Japanese colonization. I thought he was an ordinary guy who couldn’t even kill a bird or insect. Also the guy received a citation from the prison. While he was out we discussed the reason why he got put into prison in the first place. The reason he got put in jail was he was drunk and got in a fight and got arrested at midnight. He didn’t realize he killed the man; he had beaten him to death. After March 1 he got released and has behaved well. These men have chances to harm us when we visit the prison, but don’t. Also, it’s not dangerous because during the mass we are separated from the prisoners, who are model prisoners. Most of them used to be on death row but have behaved well, and the penalty reduced. They have at least 20 year prison sentences. Most are multiple offenders.Is capital punishment common in Korea?
The Ministry of Justice decides. Being sentenced to death and actually being executed are totally different. We are becoming a country opposed to the death penalty. Several years ago there was a serial woman killer; at that time there were movements to preserve the death penalty, but nowadays people are opposing the death penalty.How are the conditions in Korean prisons?
Horrible.Why?
There are not enough wardens, and the facilities are very very old. It’s overcrowded. They’re packed in like sardines. Most of the prisons in the U.S. are like motels.No, they’re overcrowded too.
Anyway, they committed crimes so they deserve to live in a bad place, to suffer, society believes.What’s your dream for the future?
I’m not greedy. I don’t care about money. My living condition is not so good, but all of my kids are good, healthy, and well educated. I give thanks to God for that. I just want to help people by doing volunteer work.
the end