SECTION 1

Five Days of Reflections from Prison

by The Revd. Fr. Andrew Clark
Roman Catholic Chaplain HM Prisons Perth, Friarton Hall & Glenochil

DAY 1  The Cell

As a prison chaplain, it's probably best not to get locked up in a cell! Having made this mistake once before and, as a result, being the recipient of a very serious talking to from the Security Governor, I wouldn't want to repeat it very often. Having said, in one way it wasn't that bad. I was surrounded by those few comforts allowed to prisoners - pictures on the wall, radio, television, a selection of toiletries, some books and magazines. In fact it was actually quite homely.  I can well understand why this allows some people to conclude - wrongly I might add - that prisoners have it easy. Yet in another way being locked up, despite the so-called comforts, allowed me to appreciate just how helpless prisoners are to order their own affairs and live as they would want to live. You see, when you're locked up in a prison cell you are powerless to leave and do what you really want to do. Someone else has to come and let you out.

As disciples of the Lord, all too often we find ourselves locked up by life's trials and tribulations and unable to live fully the life God wishes for us. A stressful relationship, financial burdens, addictions to  smoking, alcohol, pornography, drugs, ill health, making an idol out of our work . . .all these things, and many more, can lock us up in the comfort our daily lives and render us powerless. Like those held in a prison cell, we need to be set free. It's only the love of the Lord which we invite him to bring to into each and every situation through the power of the Spirit that can free us for it is a love that redeems humanity from the power of evil, heals our human weaknesses and restores our dignity as the sons and daughters of God.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus,

You know well the things in our lives that lock us up and prevent our being truly free.  We ask you now to come and through the power of your love free us from all that imprisons us. We ask this in and through your Holy Name. Amen. 

DAY 2   The Window

One of the musts when visiting a closed prison is to have a look at where prisoners are held. As a rule the officers will have warned the carefully chosen inmate selected to be mein host to expect visitors therefore ensuring as far as possible that the cell will be clean and tidy. Whether or not they do it for safety in numbers must remain a matter of conjecture but it's not unusual for about ten guests somehow to squeeze into a space designed to take two. Whereas comment is often made on how small the cell is or on how it's very cosy - it is with ten in there - it can be guaranteed someone will remark on the window size, the bars across the window or on just how little can be seen of the outside world. It's true. If the prisoner is fortunate they might get a view that reaches beyond the walls but usually it's no more than the next cell block, or barbed wire surrounding the concrete exercise yard, with a bit of blue sky on a summer's day.

The same is true for you and me when we are not free from those experiences, influences, or deeply ingrained habits that limit our lives as Christians. Because of the things that check the fullness of life that God wishes for us then we can only ever hope to see in part the glory of God in the world around us, or more significantly in each other. We need to understand that although we can't always see it, let alone know it perfectly, there is a bigger picture known only to God himself and trust him that when he invites us to live by his commandments and walk in his ways he does so because he sees more than we do. 

Let us pray.

Lord, we know too well that because we are less than perfect we can't see the fullness of your glory and majesty - in the world, in each other, in ourselves. This is why we do so much hurt and damage. But you see the big picture. We ask for the grace to trust you in all things and know that you only ever do what is best for us. Amen.

DAY 3 Doing Time

There are lots of expressions used by prisoners to describe their time in prison. For example, Norman Stanley Fletcher was doing Porridge.  However, there's also doing a Sentence, doing Bird, doing a Stretch or Sesame Street (a big bird or in other words doing a long sentence). Possibly the most well known is still doing Time. Why? Well partly because a prisoner has plenty of time on their hands. Time to think, to reflect, to mull over their situation. Not surprisingly, many on the outside will argue that this is good in that it gives the prisoner time to change their attitudes and turn their lives around. A reasonable point of view but it does have consequences.

I sat recently with a prisoner who had just been returned to custody. With genuine tears in his eyes he told me his story. Having been released he tried to get work but had only managed a couple of casual jobs. There was little money. He felt lonely so had returned to his old circle of 'friends'. This led to his going back on heroin to escape the frustrations. He had then stolen to feed his habit, had been caught, arrested and was now on remand awaiting trial which would inevitably mean another custodial sentence. He felt (and looked) physically ill; he felt deeply ashamed that he had let down once again his family. Most seriously he felt disgust at himself for his weakness and failure. This left me struggling for something to say. Yet at times like this sometimes words are wrong. All that is needed is someone to be there, to listen, to share silently the hurt because by doing this they are being as Christ to the suffering. They are being a channel of his loving presence alongside the pain. To bring love - not answers - to situations such as these also brings healing. When I left he was at least smiling.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus,

Help us to understand that just being there in your name is sometimes all that is needed. For it is you who are really the physician. Amen

DAY 4 Drugs

I've heard some institutional jargon in my time but when a prisoner started talking to me about his mind altering chemicals I thought this is enough. "You mean drugs?" I said curtly. "Yes" he replied with a degree of embarrassment in his voice brought about from my lack of tact and discretion. He was only repeating what others had said to him and had been trying hard to break the habit. It was my turn to feel ashamed.

By virtue of a promise I made to my parents prior to leaving home, I've never done drugs and for this am truly grateful. Nevertheless I have unparalleled access in prison to those who have and do. My heart goes out to them. It has been my experience that to some degree or other the various and different aspects of their lives -physical, mental, emotional, social or spiritual - are in turmoil. And if not their lives then the lives of their family and friends who also serving a sentence.

The problem with drugs be they prescribed and therefore legal, or illicit and unlawful, (and we must also include alcohol and tobacco here) is the inherent danger, born out of our human weakness, for us to allow them if we are not careful to take over our lives. Once they become overly significant then we are in great danger for they can effectively determine how we spend our money, use our time, influence our relationships, respect bodies, decide what is important. Not to put it too finely, they can become for us a false god.

Our Lord taught us that the first and greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. To do drugs can seriously undermine our ability to be obedient to the Lord and so deprive us of the joy of knowing and serving him alone who is the source of our peace and happiness.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, give us the grace to know that in following only you can we find true, deep and lasting peace. Amen.

DAY 5 Uniforms

On the wall in the chaplaincy office hangs a picture of St. Maximillian Kolbe. It's particularly special to me for two reasons. First having been moved deeply by his ministry and witness, by his devotion to the prisoners suffering in Auschwitz and subsequent martyrdom, for me he is a true icon of what is required of those of us who are fortunate enough to serve the Lord in prison. For this reason, Maximillian Kolbe has and always will be an inspiration and I am reminded every time I look at his picture of what a Chaplain is called to do. The second reason is more subtle. In the picture he is wearing the uniform of an inmate which, for many at the time, meant he ranked alongside the guilty, the lowest of the low, scum, sub-humans, not worthy of any form of human dignity . . . we all know what was said by the authorities. This also reminds me of an important truth. That no matter what a prisoner has done, and some of the crimes they've committed are indeed horrific and barely believable, that behind the prison uniform they now wear there is a person created in the image and likeness of God and loved deeply by him. This is not to lessen the gravity of their offences. Rather it is to emphasise the love of God for all his people no matter what and recognise that there is good is everyone, even the worst offender. And if God loves them, so should we. . . . or at least try.

We all wear uniforms of one sort or another. Work clothes for work, fashion designs for when we go out for an occasion; sports gear; our Sunday best. What we need to remember is that behind these different uniforms there is a person worthy of our love and respect because God loves and respects them. Uniforms aren't everything.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, we know that on the sixth day when God looked at all that He had made he saw that it was very good. Give us grace to see beyond the uniforms that others, including ourselves, wear and to find the real person that lies within. Amen.

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SECTION 2

SEEKING JUSTICE AND COMPASSION

 - A CHRISTIAN QUESTION - A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

By Mr Dan Gunn, Governor, HMP Glenochil

I would suggest this is a real and continuing challenge for us all.

It is impossible to be comprehensive but here are some thoughts to start the debate in your family, workplace etc.

Both terms are highly subjective and the meanings have changed over time. Are we sure what we mean? Why do we believe what we believe? We should take time to define our terms. It is too easy to talk in broad generalities. Equally media highlighted examples are invariably extreme, often do not reflect the norm in terms of policy or practice and are frequently distorted or even manipulated to promote a particular agenda.

An example of recent change is road traffic accidents. Cases of alleged death by dangerous driving are now very topical, controversial and emotional. Our sympathy goes to the victim's family but how many of us who are drivers identify with the driver? How do we determine justice and compassion?

Another example is murder where domestic violence is a factor. Courts now take much more background information and the lead up to the offence into account. Does this demonstrate justice and compassion or injustice and inconsistency?

Where do we stand with hate crime? This relatively new term covers homophobia, race, ethnicity, sectarianism, disabilities etc. Do we pick and choose how compassionate to be and selective as to whom? Is a vocal focus on justice a code for promoting inequality and discrimination? Do we as Christians have a good record here? Many would say no alas. Some would even argue we have contributed significantly to the problem and are still doing so.

Victims and offenders are also often seen as opposites. Reality is different. There is a very strong link and often significantly overlap. Also both groups contain a massive range of people with widely diverging viewpoints and attitudes. Victims are not all intent on ever more and extreme punishment. What the majority want is more information and often an answer to the question why me? This is where restorative justice can play a very powerful and healing role.

What do we as Christians bring to the debate? Zacchaeus was what we would now call a middle class, white collar offender. Jesus forgave him and here justice and compassion resulted in immediate financial recompense for his victims. The Good Samaritan showed great compassion to the victim. What we should remember is those whose response was to walk by on the other side. No justice or compassion were in evidence. When the crowd were baying for blood they were stopped by Jesus asking who is qualified to throw the first stone. When our society turns its wrath on a particular crime or criminal, one consequence is we all feel good and united. This has nothing to do with either justice or compassion.

As Christians we are tasked with loving our neighbour - however difficult. If we are genuine in responding to this ongoing challenge, then we will be putting into daily practice both justice and compassion.

Addendum - Do pray for our Chaplains who are preparing for this long-standing annual event which seeks to encourage Churches throughout our land to remember the needs of Prisoners, their families and their victims.

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 SECTION 3     A Prayer Letter

Pray for ...

... the Governors and Prison Management Teams that in their many duties and making complex and difficult decisions that they will be guided by wisdom, compassion, and justice for the welfare of prisoners, staff and the Scottish Prison Service.

... Prison Staff, that they find satisfaction in their duties; they have strength and courage in the face of challenges and demands; that they remain alert to risks and opportunities; and they always have patience and humanity in dealing with prisoners

...prisoners imprisoned for the first time - full of fear or bravado; and for their families and friends.

...those made hard by life in prison; for those who feel no sorrow for what they have done; and for those who deny what they have done.

...for those who sleep badly or are troubled by worry; those who are recovering from addiction; that they find health, and rest and stay the course of recovery.

...for vulnerable people who are weak through illness or are weak in character; those afraid of the strong or used by the clever; those who long for acceptance, especially those who receive no letters or visits, or who have no friends.

...for the victims of crime, that they recover from any injuries, recover any losses, and recover from any lost confidence in themselves or others.

... for the police forces that, along with citizens, they uphold law and just order; that they remain vigilant in preventing crime, and in detecting crime, especially organised crime; that they resist a cynical view of human nature, and remain patient, understanding, and compassionate, especially when dealing with tragedy. 

Help us all to work for a society where all can belong, all can contribute, and all can be safe.

We ask all our prayers in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

By Revd Alex Wark, a Chaplain at HMP&YOI Cornton Vale.