The New Hope Prison Ministry was founded in 1975 at The Carerra Convict Island Prison, on the Carerra Island. Carerra Island is one of the two Diego Islands in the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad and Tobago. Before its use as a prison depot, Carerra served as an auxiliary Ulcer Hospital to the Colonial Hospital, which had faced vast overcrowding. It was not until 1876 that construction of a huge stone- walled prison complex began and was completed in 1880, intially housing approximately forty (40) inmates. Some of the men that were incarcerated at the Carrera Convict Prison in the 1970's were men that were instrumental in the Black Power Movement which exploed in Trinidad and Tobago in 1970 with men of revolountary idiology, a passion for change. One of the inmates at The Carerra Convict Prison was Ricahrd Barker, who was also at the Golden Grove Prison before his transfer to Carerra , who had a profound experisence with GOD, while in his cell, claimed to hear the voice of GOD saying " Repent and Serve Me". With this conviction he went to the Carerra Island Prison and began rallying the inmates to speak out for change. At that time the Prison system was one of Retribution and not Restoration, as having writing material at that time was and offence. He being joined with a number of inmates began to rally for academical education, and better living conditions. To name a few of the men that were involed in this quest for more humane treatment were : Clyde Haynes, Clifford Small, Isaac James, Fuqua Chin" . Supported by officers who understood their plyte and wanted to see a better prison system, began helping the incarcerated men by supplying them with writing materials and books, Officers at the time susch as : Gordon Husbands, Mr. Lambert , Carl Mattis, and others. Thus began the first school for academical education in the prsions of Trinidad and Tobago. The bible being the catalyst for reforming the mind , influenced the ambition for a life controlled by , GOD- "GOOD ORDERLY DIRECTION" ! Those men that were instrumental in that change in Carerra in the 1970's , have long left the prison system and have never returned to the prison as and offender of the state. But some of them now work as spiritual concilors for the prison system to help be a pillar to those they have left behind, others are now Teachers, Business owners, and Men of Family Life. Thus the NEW HOPE PRISON MINSTRY was founded at the Carerra Prison has an established church , where ex-inmates play a major role, and also have a team of ex-inmates who now work in the prisons encouraging inmates to depart from a life of crime using themselves as an example of the power of God, to change lives!. Our Vision
To transform lives of persons so that they can enter in to a new hope for living. Types Of Activity
Spiritual counseling, reconciling prisoners to victims and their own families, crusades, street meetings, teaching on health issues. We have 2 branches in Trinidad and 1 in Tobago. Prisons
Women Prison, Golden Grove Men Prison, Maximum Security Prison, Carrera Island Prison, Youth Training Centre and Royal Goal (State Prison). About Our Prison Ministry
The New Hope Prison Ministry has served the Trinidad and Tobago community by reducing crime and re-offending, creating model citizens, mediating in community disputes and providing effective prisoner aftercare. Barker has traveled to several Caribbean territories sharing his experiences with prison officials and prisoners alike. Support In
Pray for the spiritual transformation of the people we speak with in prisons and outside prisons. Pray for money to do all the activities we desire to undertake for the glory of God. Pray for the open hearts of men in high positions to know that they too need Jesus Christ and His transforming power, and not just prisoners.
