Over the past 20 years, Argentine prison authorities have encouraged, to one extent or another, the creation of units effectively run by evangelical inmates — sometimes granting them a few extra special privileges, such as more time in fresh air.

“We bring peace to the prisons. There was never a riot inside the evangelical cellblocks. And that is better for the authorities,” said the Rev. David Sensini of Rosario’s Redil de Cristo church.

Access is controlled both by prison officials and by cellblock leaders who function much like pastors — and who are wary of attempts by gangs to infiltrate.

Ruben Munoz, an evangelical pastor from the church Puerta del Cielo, or “Heaven’s Door.” (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Prisoners pray with their Bibles inside an evangelical cellblock at the prison in Pinero, Santa Fe province. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Jeremias Echague poses for a portrait outside his cell located within the evangelical cell block. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Prisoners pray during an evangelical service at the Correctional Institute Model. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Jeremias Echague shows his tattoo from inside his cell within the evangelical cellblock. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)