Three DUIs put Kristiana in jail. What she saw gave her a heart for the incarcerated and advocacy.
There I was yet again, sitting in a jail cell after another DUI. It was my third in five years.
But this jail stint was actually a blessing. I had reached the end of myself. I was at my lowest, deep in depression.
I cried out to God, pleading with Him to turn my life around. I was seeking a way out. My time in jail was His way of giving me a chance to start fresh and grow closer to Him.
ALBANIA, AMERICA, AND ALCOHOL
I was born in Albania, but war drove my family out, and we moved to Michigan when I was 4. Once there, my brother and I had a decent childhood as our parents worked two jobs to provide for us.
That sense of stability was shattered in 2011 when my parents divorced. I ended up with my mom but had no respect for her authority and turned to drinking and drugs. I committed my first DUI when I was 19, but being put on probation and having my license revoked didn’t stop me from my destructive ways.
I spent about a month in jail after having my probation revoked and my second DUI came at age 21. Two alcohol-related charges would be a wake-up call for many but not for me. I was living in denial.
My third DUI came at 24, and that’s when it hit me. I couldn’t believe I was back behind bars. But this time I was able to step back and take stock of my life. I finally became aware of the damage I had done by lying, cheating, and using those who cared about me. Thanks to these reflections, I began to reconnect with God in a more personal way.
My family never went to church, yet I still had a relationship with God from a young age. Deep down, I knew God existed and was protecting me, but my rebellious teenage years saw me drift away from my faith. Substance abuse overtook my life, and I stopped making time for God.
That all changed after my third DUI. I had a spiritual awakening while incarcerated for that felony offense. I read the Bible in depth for the first time, and I began attending church services. After being released, the fire in my heart for the Lord kept burning. I went into rehab, stayed in church, and got baptized. I also met my best friend there, and we recently celebrated five years of sobriety.
HELPING OTHERS AND MYSELF
My time in jail made me acutely aware of the problems women were facing. Jail had become a revolving door for them, some returning for the fifth or sixth time. They didn’t have an education, lacked family support, and went without critical resources like a phone and driver’s license.
Their struggles struck a chord in me. I knew I wanted to help them, but at the same time, I was running into challenges of my own. My driver’s license had been revoked, which made it hard to get around. I met so many dead ends in my search for a job because of my status as someone who committed a felony. I would be asked early on if I had been convicted of a felony or would complete a background check after being offered a job, only to have it taken away.
I began thinking about my purpose in life, and God made it clear I was to help others. I began searching for ways to get involved and came across Prison Fellowship®. Their faith-based approach stood out to me, and I wanted to become a Justice Ambassador volunteer to share my story and bring about change within the laws governing our country.
What I saw behind bars made me interested in advocating for the bipartisan Federal Prison Oversight Act. The bill signed into law by President Biden in July will create a more robust system for regular external oversight of the federal prison system. In order to help make a difference and raise my voice on the issue, I met with my congresswoman’s office in March.
To my surprise, I got to share my story with my congresswoman as she joined the call. It was a privilege to play a part in improving conditions for those who live and work in prison.
AN ADVOCATE'S HEART
Being a Justice Ambassador allows me to live out my purpose of helping others. The opportunity I have to use my voice to speak up for those who can’t is a responsibility I don’t take for granted.
Another responsibility of mine is being a mom of two children. After spending years in addiction, motherhood has taught me selflessness. I’m determined to set a good example for my kids as they grow up, which includes being in a healthy marriage. My fiancé and I are engaged after spending nearly eight years together. In the thick of my addiction, our relationship was toxic, and we would fight a lot. Now, there’s mutual trust, and we prioritize family time.
God used my lowest moment to turn my life around for the better. My eyes are fixed on Him, and as a result, I’m no longer living for myself as I have a higher calling. God put it on my heart, and I know I’m doing His work.
RAISE YOUR VOICE!
We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors' voices can be an effective tool to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores.
Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today!
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