They had a cellmate who encouraged them to take a good hard look at their past conductThe prison offered a spirituality course that allowed them to think about the philosophy of the matterThey spent much time praying to god and had a vision outlining what they had done wrongThe humbling experience of losing all freedom was an eye opening paradigm shift for the speaker
Why did being imprisoned prompt the speaker to reflect on and realize the true nature of morality ?
In the surfeit of power I was a murderer and an oppressor . In my most evil moments I was convinced that I was doing good , and I was well supplied with systematic arguments . It was only when I lay there on rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good . Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states , nor between classes , nor between political parties either - but right through every human heart - and through all human hearts ... .