Letter from Coxsackie Correctional Facility

by Brian Hodges

Editor’s note: The author of this piece contacted Jacob’s Well after reading the Spring 2019 issue. With our encouragement, he later submitted this letter by mail. It has been lightly edited.

My name is Brian Hodges and I am incarcerated at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, a state prison just south of Albany, and I have been here more than 12 1/2 years. I would like to describe the struggles I go through as the only Orthodox Christian in the facility.

Coming to prison with 20 years to serve was a wake-up call. It’s very easy to go down the wrong path in prison. From day one, my mother said, "Take it a day at a time," and I have done that for more than 4,500 days. I have asked for forgiveness countless times and have often questioned why prison life was in God's plan for me. I certainly didn't see this in my future growing up. I have made the best of it, holding good jobs in the facilities and helping others when I can. I continue to make myself a better person than I was when I arrived. Now, with 7 1/2 years left, I will be 47 years old upon my release. I have intentions of moving forward and starting a family of my own.

Here, religious services are offered in a variety of traditions: Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Islam, Nation of Islam, and Nation of Gods and Earths, to name a few—but there are no Orthodox Christian services. Given the small number of registered Orthodox inmates, the Department of Corrections (DoC) isn’t obligated to offer any services. Therefore, I am on my own. But on two occasions, a Greek Orthodox priest who works part time for the DoC has visited me. He heard my confession, gave me Communion, and anointed me. On those days I could not wait to tell my family, “Father Manny came to see me!” It really brightened my day. Someone who does not know me came to ask me how I was and answered any questions I had.

Before my incarceration, I wasn't active in my parish the way I should have been. However, I plan to get involved upon my release. These past few years, I have been reeducating myself about the Orthodox Faith. I wrote to a few churches and monasteries seeking information or someone to correspond with, perhaps even to ask a question. Two people replied! One was Father Benedict, from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, MA. Father Benedict has stayed in touch, has answered my questions, and has sent me reading materials. Another monastery referred me to Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, which is based in Minnesota. I can proudly say I have completed three of OCPM’s Bible study classes, and I'm waiting for the next book to arrive.

In addition, the priest from my home parish, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, in Cohoes, near Albany has come to visit me—not for confession, but just to sit and talk. I am also lucky enough to have a family that visits me often. Not everyone in prison has that luxury. Visits remind me that people do care about me and that I am not alone.

Maybe you hear about fellow parishioners who are sick or in the hospital, but do you hear about the incarcerated church member? Once someone is handed a prison sentence, they can be quickly forgotten about. I am asking the Orthodox community to reach out to those of us who are in prisons. There are simple ways you could brighten an incarcerated person’s day: writing a letter, coming on a visit, or becoming a volunteer. I realize many people feel skittish and have negative perceptions of people in prison. I'm asking you to give this a chance. Contact a local correctional facility and ask the chaplain if anyone there is registered as Orthodox. If so, they could probably use guidance, or just a friend who will listen to them.

The holiday season, which is coming upon us, is a very tough time for people who are incarcerated. Who knows? Maybe you can put someone on the path of redemption!

Brian Hodges is an Orthodox Christian incarcerated at the state prison in Coxsackie, New York.