Ex-con Ron Burris reaches out to inmates at Lieber 'rock'
By Glenn Smith
The Post and Courier
Ron Burris, 41, prays with inmates in a ministry session Thursday at Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville. Burris once served 4 1/2 years there and since has turned his life around.
Ridgeville -- The rumbles and shouts began the moment Ron Burris set foot in his old cell block at Lieber Correctional Institution. "Eighty-eight on the rock!" the inmates shouted. "Eighty-eight on the rock!"
Burris stopped in his tracks. They were using inmate code to alert others to law enforcement in their midst. They'd taken one look at Burris and assumed the burly stranger with the barrel chest and shaved head was a cop who had come to search their cells for contraband.
Burris mused a moment at their mistake and then belted out his old inmate number and cell assignment. The shouting stopped as realization sunk in. He'd been one of them once, lost and troubled, stacking time on the 'rock.' Burris pulled out his worn Bible and began shaking hands. He was here to help.
Burris once swore he'd never set foot in a prison again. Now, at 41, he returns to Lieber Correctional Institution every Thursday night to counsel inmates as part of the Kairos prison ministry program. It's his way of giving back after finding faith, ditching his criminal past and building a new life grounded in church and family.
He's come a long way since August 1999, when he stole a car and led officers from three jurisdictions on a winding and treacherous chase. The pursuit lasted several hours before ending in West Ashley in a hail of police bullets. Thirteen rounds pierced Burris' body, leaving him critically wounded. He recovered, only to spend the next 4 1/2 years behind bars.
Burris holds no grudges. In fact, he insists police had every right to shoot him. He credits the episode with helping him kick a 15-year crack cocaine habit and turn his life around. He's been clean for 10 years and is happily married with two young daughters. He hopes his visits to Lieber will inspire other inmates to change and give them hope as they serve their sentences.
"I love doing this," Burris said. "The Scripture says, 'To whom much is given, much is required,' and I have been given so much."
The Post and Courier
'He's been on this side and he's done something with himself. It makes guys listen because it comes from the heart,' one inmate said.
Finding faith
His rehabilitation has won praise from law enforcement officers, clergy and others. Two independent filmmakers want to make a movie based on his life story. A script and a promotional feature are in the works as they try to raise capital for the project. The working title is "The Unforgiving Servant" after a biblical passage that helped spur Burris' transformation, producer Tripp Adams said.
Adams and partner Ken Conner, a writer, director and producer, said they don't intend to glorify the chase, but rather place it in perspective with the rest of Burris' life.
"It's a great human interest story with all the elements of high drama," Conner said. "He is a man who has had struggles in his life, some failure, and he has redeemed himself."
Eddie Morris, the assistant chaplain at Lieber, clearly recalls the bitter young man Burris used to be. During their first session, Burris railed against perceived injustices by police, the prison system and society. But when Burris lifted up his shirt to show off his bullet wounds, Morris burst out in laughter, perplexing the young convict.
"I'm looking at this guy and the first five holes would be enough to take a man out," Morris recalled. "I said, 'You need to be thanking God you are even here to talk about it.' "
As they prayed together, hugged and wept, Burris began to rediscover his faith, Morris said. He kept coming to the weekly prayer meetings, and change took root.
"I've seen him go from an angry young man to a humble servant," Morris said. "It is awesome. He's become a better husband, a father to his children and a friend to these men. He lets them know, 'If it can happen to me, it can happen to you.' "
The Post and Courier
Ron Burris, 41, shares a laugh with inmates in a prison ministry session Thursday at Lieber state prison in Ridgeville. Burris returns to the prison weekly to counsel inmates.
Previous story
On the right path, published 08/20/06
Message from the heart
Burris makes the 64-mile round trip from West Ashley to Lieber weekly to meet with prisoners, including those on Death Row. He's usually among the last to leave after the two-hour sessions, lingering to offer one more hug or handshake.
"He used to swear he would never set foot on (state corrections) property again," Morris chuckled, shaking his head. "Now, I have to tell him to leave."
One recent night, Burris sat around a table with five inmates. Some were serving life sentences; most have never had a visitor. They read Scripture, shared stories about their lives and discussed the everyday challenges of life behind bars: the ever-present noise, the potential for violence, the long stretches of time with nothing to do.
"You gotta be strong to do the time in here," one inmate said, his voice just above a whisper.
Burris nodded, his brow furrowed. He explained that when he arrived at Lieber, it felt like he would never get out alive. But prayer and the weekly ministry meetings helped him survive and grow as a man, he said.
"It can turn around for you anytime," Burris said, his voice filled with urgency. "You've just got to stay faithful. Take advantage of this. One day when you get out, you will need it."
One inmate, who is serving a life term for kidnapping, said Burris' stint on the "rock" helps him reach prisoners in ways others may not. "He's been on this side and he's done something with himself," he said. "It makes guys listen because it comes from the heart."
In the past year, Burris had to undergo a series of surgeries to remove bullet fragments and repair damage from the car chase and shooting. Unable to work, he sold his landscaping business and equipment. Now recovered, Burris said he can't find work in a sour job market where few employers want to take a chance on an ex-con. He worries about his ability to provide for his family.
The trips back to Lieber help him keep faith. He gets a queasy feeling when the steel doors shut behind him and he sees the rolls of razor-sharp concertina wire atop the fences. The inmates' stories remind him of what he left behind and why he never wants to go back.
"This is so important for me," he said, as he stepped back into the night air. "I don't ever want to forget where I came from."
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jj2day (anonymous) says...
praise be to GOD.you have turned your life into something better.i have a son now 22 yrs.old and was involved in a crime such as yours-he had just turned 17,he was fired at at least 12 rounds and was by the grace of GOD,grazed at the very top of his foreheadby 1 bullett-wears the scar as a daily reminder of just how close he came 2 dying or seriously wounded,but i as his mother constantly worry he will someday go back 2 prison,4 something ?i pray not,just wanted you 2 know you are doing a good thing 4 these men,because it is true ,sometimes they are forgotten.my son was sentenced 6 yrs.did 25 mos in prison,was back2yrs.then did 1 yr.4 failing drug test-now has till dec.this year off parole -but this has been the longest 6 yrs my family has dealt with -hoping never 2 go through it again!GOD bless you and your family.
August 30, 2009 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
well done, Mr. Burris. you are an exception to the rule. however, you are working hard to change that. good luck.
"The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light." ~Felix Adler
August 30, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
God can turn any life around if that person is willing to surrender.
August 30, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MisWesaMoves (anonymous) says...
FAITH in a Higher Power CAN and WILL change lives...This is HOW...
Honesty
Openmindedness
Willingness
August 30, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
It's no mystery why so many find God or faith of some sort when behind bars.
It's also no mystery why so many abandon their newly found religious panacea for discomfort after they are released.
What is a mystery is how Mr. Burris is surviving with no mentioned source of income and how he can afford to own and operate a vehicle, plus drive 64 miles round trip to Lieber every week.
That landscape business must have sold for a fortune.
Where did an ex con acquire the resources to obtain and operate a landscape business in the first place?
If Burris continues on the the straight and narrow path (which will certainly be easier if the proposed film by Adams and Conner ever becomes a reality) that's fine, but there is much about this article that is left to speculation.
Typical P&C journalistic ambiguity.
August 30, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bill1776 (anonymous) says...
God bless you Ron Burris keep up the good work. I know the atheist will not like what Ron is doing, they want only their secular humanist religion taught in (public) government school and every where else. The crime rate is so high because God is out in out schools and secular humanist religion is in.
Why do the heathen rage? Because they want only their secular humanist religion taught.
August 30, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cleopatra (anonymous) says...
yird...it sounds like you may be jealous that, against all odds, this man brought himself out of the gutter and became someone! He is giving back to the community that he harmed.
As for the landscape business, all you need to start that is a lawnmower and maybe a weed eater. Ron Burris apparently has enough gumption to work hard and give back.
How do you benefit the community or pay for your place in society?
August 30, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realman (anonymous) says...
yird, you are an idiot. Perhaps he manages his money better than you. Perhaps he is living off the generosity of his friends, (a foreign concept to you, I'm sure, as you probably either don't have any friends, or, if you do, "generosity" is an unknown idea to you). How he gets his money or spends it is none of our business, anyway. (Hey! Let's all go to yird's house and have him account for all the items he owns and question how he purchased them!) Perhaps Mrs. Burris works, perhaps not. Fact is, Mr. Burris is doing a great service. Perhaps you may wish to contribute something to society, yird. What have you done to make the world a better place? Probably nothing.
August 30, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
babeegurl (anonymous) says...
This is the second story today where someone had to throw something negative where only positives are needed! It's good to see someone can ACTUALLY turn their life around for the better! Keep up the good work and hopefully it will help some of the others in their future endeavors as well. Anything to help crime prevention is wonderful!
August 30, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
It's amazing that the introduction of a little serious skepticism can generate such childish response from the eternally euphoric.
Cleopatra, are you and unrealman sharing the same trailer?
You emotional adolescents should read my post again and try to figure out what I wrote because in your childish view of everything societal being seen through rose colored glasses, you are blinded by all that doesn't mesh with your Pollyanna concept of the world.
Go to church and pray for Teddy's acceptance into heaven instead of getting on board and failing in your attempts to function like rational adults.
It'll make you "feel" better.
August 30, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rggr (anonymous) says...
Apparently Ron looked at his situation and saw possibilities, while you see barriers. Good for him! You have nothing to base your skepticism on other than your skeptical nature.
August 30, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robeweise (anonymous) says...
Ron's a model example of how our prison system should work. We all seem to think that people are beyond rehabilitation these days, but Ron proves that way of thinking wrong.
Keep up the good work Ron, you make a lot of us proud.
August 30, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
robeweise (anonymous) says...
Ron's a model example of how our prison system should work. We all seem to think that people are beyond rehabilitation these days, but Ron proves that way of thinking wrong.
Keep up the good work Ron, you make a lot of us proud.
August 30, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
==================================
I agree with you. That's "how our prison system should work" but in most cases it does not and all the touchy feelgood comments don't make it happen either.
The article printed "Unable to work, he sold his landscaping business and equipment."
Cleopatra wrote, "As for the landscape business, all you need to start that is a lawnmower and maybe a weed eater." implying that somehow that selling those provided him with serious funds to tide him over until, whatever.
If she's that dumb I've got a lawnmower and weed eater I'll be glad to sell her!
I still maintain there is much more to this "story" than is revealed in the article and instead of getting all warm and fuzzy over it why not wait until all the details are provided, if they ever are.
And lastly, what do you robeweise (specifically) have to be proud of?
I must have overlooked that in your post.
August 30, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bill1776 (anonymous) says...
I think we should all send Ron a donation to help him in his ministry.
August 30, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rggr (anonymous) says...
He has a wife. Perhaps she works. Perhaps the sale of the business allowed him to put some money aside.
I've known Ron since we were both kids and can tell you he has made changes. Sorry, but I can't speak to his bank account.
August 30, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SMARTCUPCAK3 (anonymous) says...
bill1776,
I think that donations will help him retain his "lifestyle" such as funding one of Mr Burris' many off shore fishing trips. Out of work maybe but the cash is coming from somewhere. The point is no one knows the "whole" story and would be foolish to donate any money to Mr Burris or for that fact any x-con especially for doing something they should be doing anyway. Giving back when they've been taking for years.
August 30, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bill1776 (anonymous) says...
Yird, you said to go to church and pray for Teddy's acceptance into heaven. We would have to do a lot of praying to get him into heaven. I received a letter from Edward M. Kennedy dated the day before the funeral in support of the homosexual hate crime bill. It looks like he supporting the ungodly homosexuals to the grave.
August 30, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bill1776 (anonymous) says...
Yird, correction please I received a letter from Edmond M. Kennedy dated the day before he died not the day before the funeral.
August 30, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
bill1776, Not being a person particularly sold on the heaven or hell scenario being available after we assume ambient temperature, I only threw that in because I figured it would be more productive an endeavor on the part of Cleopatra and unrealman then what they collectively posted.
As for Kennedy I would hope there would be a hell so he could rot there for eternity along with Mao Tse Tung, Adolph Hitler, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong il Fidel Castro and the rest of the worlds tyrannical socialist scum.
August 30, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robeweise (anonymous) says...
Yird, I've met the man, had dinner with his wife and small child. I've looked him in the eyes and I've seen the kind of man he is. I'm proud that such a human being exists.
That's all, read into it what you want, I don't really care. My "feelgood" comment is directed towards Ron Burris, what you think doesn't concern me.
August 30, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Yeah robeweise, George Bush looked into the eyes of Putin. So what!
As I said before the article leaves much for speculation and your unprofessional assessment doesn't concern me.
August 30, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phloweed (anonymous) says...
yird, I love you and will pray for you. Best to you. We all must have faith in what we believe. What proof is ever conclusive. Whether your faith be in yourself, nature or in God's ability to change a man, you still must have faith. My faith is in my Creator & His promises. I pray that we will share that faith.
August 30, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
phloweed Thank you for your considerate words. One of my best friends is a Baptist minister with whom I've had numerous discussions about God and creation. Basically the who, what, where, when and why type conversations usually ending up with the realization that with no concrete proof it is definitely a matter of faith.
I admire him and folks like yourself who are comfortable with their convictions.
I'm comfortable with mine albeit they do not coincide with your own.
If you or anyone else wants to pray for me I see no harm in it. Just be careful who you tell. Most people either love me or hate me and I suspect the latter group are in the majority!
Have a good evening.
August 30, 2009 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tracy1750 (anonymous) says...
Ron, proud of ya honey! You always were a good person, just made some bad choices, like we all do at times. So happy for you and your family. Take care.
August 31, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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