or... 'Where is God in prison?'

The only routine is that every day is different.  A day that passes without having to break news of a bereavement, without watching a young man’s face reflect his breaking heart, is good.

LUKE 4:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because...
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners...
to release the oppressed..."

This guy is why I am passionate about prison ministry.  I see him every day there.  The image is the cover of a book published after a Catholic Bishops’ Conference.  His face is what I see if I’m getting it right, if I am “releasing the oppressed”.  Otherwise I see the façade, the walls he puts up so other prisoners don’t think he is “soft”, or so family won’t worry about him.  Underneath he is oppressed by the sin and degradation of his life, and no one needs to tell him that.  He is also as afraid, remorseful and lonely as any of us would be in his place.

Most of my work is listening.  Chronically overworked officers offer to listen, but what they really mean is to sort out issues like getting laundry done or going to the gym, not listening to pain or hurt.  Big, burly officers quiver at the sight of tears.  Chaplains don’t flinch and are never shocked, because Jesus would not be.

Always we watch for the ones who stay in their cells, even when they could be out, the quiet ones.  Suicide is a constant fear in prison.  Officers have to deal with the reality of it.  Some prisoners struggle not to give in to such dark thoughts and the rest worry how it will affect them if someone does.

Chaplains, by listening 90% of the time and explaining what Love means the rest, try to bring each prisoner the love of God and a breath of fresh air.  We offer formal worship, quiet time in the chapel to light a candle or just to sit, or answer questions about scripture – or faith – hard questions like, what do you believe, Miss? – or encouragement about God, forgiveness, faith, prayer.  Most importantly we offer general encouragement and increase of self-worth: NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, YOU ARE YOU - NOT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

There is much kindness and compassion in a prison - officers staying late to help a prisoner or a prisoner offering to do the work of a cellmate who has received bad news.  So prison may teach someone about love for the first time ever.  There is great curiosity about any or every aspect of God and faith from the small to the great:  Why is there holy water in “that little thing on the wall”?  Will God forgive me?

We sometimes meet aggression – the result of youthful energy locked up – and mental illness – prisoners who may not be able to control their behaviour,  but mostly it is His face that we meet in all the prisoners – and it is very beautiful.

Lesley is a parishioner in the Cathedral parish, where she was involved in the first year of the Salt and Light Project as a mentor.

If you would like to explore issues around crime and punishment further, Sr Helen Prejean (made famous in the film 'Dead Man Walking' is coming to 'The Event 09' in Newcastle, 13th - 15th November. Neil is leading a DeeperWider trip to the weekend for those aged 18-25 - email him on neil@nymo.org to register your interest. Alternatively, you can book to attend individually by following the link to the right.