David Berkowitz terrorized New York City as the "Son of Sam," a serial killer who murdered six people and wounded seven others in 1976-77. Sentenced to six consecutive life terms, he seemed beyond redemption. Yet in 1987, ten years into his sentence, everything changed.
Life Behind Bars of Rage
Berkowitz was constantly in trouble, with disciplinary problems and "a really bad attitude," living with tremendous anger. One night while walking the prison yard, another inmate approached him, introduced himself, and told him that Jesus Christ loved him and had a plan and purpose for his life.
A Prison Conversion Experience
Berkowitz initially rejected this: "I had done too many evil things and there was no forgiveness for me." But the inmate insisted: "God has sent me here to this prison just to tell you that he loved you, and he can forgive you."
The inmate gave Berkowitz a Bible. His moment of conversion came while reading Psalm 34:6: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
From Son of Sam to Hope
After his conversion, Berkowitz asked to be called the "Son of Hope" instead of "Son of Sam." He developed his memoirs with fellow evangelicals, releasing "Son of Hope: The Prison Journals of David Berkowitz" in 2006. He receives no royalties from his works, instead writing essays on faith and repentance for evangelical websites.
Reverend Tony Loeffler, who has known Berkowitz for over two decades, testified: "I visit him personally, and I don't take it lightly when I say this is a true conversion. I've performed for over a million inmates and I see the real ones and I see the ones who think if they say they're a Christian maybe they'll get a break. David is the real deal."
Choosing Prison Ministry Over Freedom
Remarkably, Berkowitz has asked not to be freed. In a 2002 letter, he wrote: "In all honesty I believe that I deserve to be in prison for the rest of my life. I have, with God's help, long ago come to terms with my situation and I have accepted my punishment."
For over 35 years, Berkowitz has demonstrated the authenticity of his faith—not seeking parole, but seeking to minister to fellow inmates.
