The Olmos prison in Argentina used to be notorious for murders, satanic activity and violent riots.  Today, however, you can hear inmates and guards praising and worshipping God.  This all began with one man’s obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

In the mid 80’s Pastor Juan Zuccarelli felt called to prison ministry in Buenos Aires.  He had, at that stage, only done crusades in the city and was a bit daunted by the task of ministering in prison, but knew he must do it.  He was told that the only way he could get into the prisons would be to become a prison guard.  He applied for a position and found out that he would have to wait 8 months for the application to be processed.  He hoped that God would change His mind in the meantime and that He would call him somewhere else.  Amazingly, within a week, he was contacted by the prison authorities informing him that he had the position.  Juan took up his appointment immediately and became a prison guard, knowing that he would use his position to preach the Gospel.

LIVES BEGIN TO CHANGE AT OLMOS PRISON

300 prisoners attended the first crusade in Olmos prison.  Of those, 100 were saved.  Sadly, these men were physically, verbally and sexually assaulted by their peers because of their commitment.  The Lord revealed that the Christians needed to have separate cell blocks.  In 1987 the idea was proposed to the prison warden, but he was completely against it.  Juan remembered an old burnt-out cell block that had previously been completely destroyed.  He told the warden that if he gave them that cell, they would fix it, paint it and turn it into the best cell block in the whole of Olmos.  He suggested that when the government came to inspect the prison they could show that cell block off as the model cell block.  The warden accepted the challenge.

21 prisoners started that first cell block and they were able to have times of prayer, fasting and Bible studies which produced amazing results. Eventually they took over the entire floor, which was previously known as the “Elephant’s Floor.”  It was used to house the most dangerous of dangerous criminals and even had an altar built to honour Satan.  In the past, families would bring the inmates small cats and dogs to burn as sacrifices to Satan, giving him power over the prison.  After much prayer, that entire cell block now belongs to Jesus Christ. 

The Christians have 24 cell blocks today.  1600 prisoners have been saved at Olmos.  Once the Christians started to multiply, a group of missionaries was sent from Olmos to another prison to begin a church there.  As new prisons were built, authorities approached Olmos and asked them to help them start churches in the new prisons so that they could be built on a similar solid foundation.  Up to 200 saved prisoners from Olmos have been sent to new prisons to set up churches.  Their growth eventually took over prisons of the entire province.  Today there are churches in all 40 prisons across the provinces of Argentina.

The government then contacted Juan to start a completely Christian prison (before they had only set up churches within prisons).  There were 3 small prisons which had been empty for about 2 years and the officials told Juan he could pick anyone he wanted and he would be given the keys.

Juan identified Daniel Tajeda, an evangelical Christian, to be the warden of the new prison.  He was very young at the time and only 96th in line for the position.  However, Daniel’s faithfulness outshone the other candidates and he was appointed as the warden of 10 prisoners.  From there on it grew, from 25 to 130 inmates.  This prison is called, “Christ, the Only Hope.”  The authorities saw the excellent results and gave Juan another prison.

The government were not able to provide any funding for the Christian prisons.  There were no beds and mattresses and the cells were completely empty.  There was no electricity, running water or gas.  They also needed computers and medical supplies.  All of their needs have been provided for by donations from ministries outside the prison.  The image of the church has improved so much in the eyes of the government and incidentally cost the country nothing. 

“Christ, the Only Hope” prison has 270 inmates and is run strictly on Christian principles.  The staff believe that the prisoners have the potential to change and this fact is proven again and again. 

The inmates have serious criminal records, ranging from robbery, to rape, to murder.  However, when these same criminals accepted Christ in their hearts they changed.  Prisoners have to follow strict daily routines that train them to be spiritually disciplined.  They start each new day by worshipping God.  At 6:00 AM all the inmates gather for a time of devotion and praise and this is followed by a time of prayer.  They also fast twice a week.  In the afternoons the inmates gather for Bible study and fellowship, and later in the day attend a church service.

As the inmates go to their rooms, five intercessors take up their posts and begin to pray through the long hours of the night.

One prisoner said, “Although we are locked up physically, God has made us free spiritually.  God has blessed us to be an example to the outside world.”

The prison runs a store house where inmates donate food and clothing.  They cannot tithe in money, but the things that their families and other visitors bring them are tithed to the store house.  This is used to help others in need, both families outside of the prison, and prisoners in other units.