May I speak in the name of the Father, Son and Holy…
It’s a privilege to be with you today, a Sunday dedicated by the Cathedral and Diocese of Winchester to affirming the work of those who work in our nation’s judiciary in so many different roles. It is also, coincidentally I think, the day that marks the beginning of Prison’s Week – a week calling Christian people to pray with, and for, all those whose lives are affected in so many different ways by our prisons; prisoners, their families, prison staff, those who give their time voluntarily in so many ways.
I have worked for the Prison Service for nearly 29 years as a Chaplain and am delighted to be making a return visit to this city where, in 2009, I did some temporary work in the chaplaincy at Winchester Prison. I am currently the Anglican chaplain working part-time at the Open Prison, HMP Sudbury. You don’t need a CV from me this morning, but I am always happy to be contacted about chaplaincy work in prisons. I spent 11 years working exclusively with people convicted of a sexual offence and used my master’s dissertation to reflect on the way the Church of England seeks to welcome those leaving prison who ask to attend public worship. Some may be interested in that topic…
There has been a lot of attention in the media given to prison and criminal justice in recent weeks. I’m glad that in the last few days there has been renewed comment calling for action as we review the ongoing plight of women and men (just under 3000) still serving indeterminate sentences. And, of course, the recent release of Andrew Malkinson, after 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, and the, thankfully short-lived, escape from Wandsworth of Daniel Khalife, have contributed to greater than usual scrutiny. So, it is particularly apt that we take time this morning to ask for God’s presence with, and blessing on, all those who seek to serve their national and local community within the legal system.
Biblical Justice is characterised by radical generosity, universal equality and life-changing advocacy. As a nation, we are blessed that these Biblical roots, have for centuries, formed a solid foundation for our judicial system. I was pleased to read for the first time, the words of Churchill reminding us that ‘the convict stands deprived of everything that a free man calls life…’ I agree with his often-quoted opinion when he says, ‘The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilisation of any country.’
Nevertheless, at a time in our country’s history when many factors are contributing to under-resourced provision in nearly every area of public life, and a growing sense of unease at an apparent loss of control over so much of what makes our communities safe (I think of the fatal and tragic stabbing of Elianne Andam in Croydon) it is good to reflect on our need for godly direction. As we seek to serve our communities with integrity, we need what the 12-step programme would call a higher- power, what I would call the presence of Jesus. That Jesus whose radical words called out to us from the pulpit a moment ago…
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
One of the Hebrew words for justice, mishpat, occurs more than 200 times in the OT – and the culture Jesus lived in was steeped in, at best real, at worst token, attempts to obey God’s given law in this regard. At its most fundamental it means to treat people equally – in the context of crime, acquitting or punishing every person on the merits of the case regardless of race or social status. But it also includes the concept of ‘doing right’ by the most vulnerable – in Jewish society the widows, orphans, immigrants and the poor.’ UK Prisons are too often used as a last resort for dealing with the inequalities and problems that our health, welfare, education and employment systems aren’t solving. Those resident at his majesty’s pleasure are far more likely to be from ethnic minorities and poorer communities or have mental health problems or have grown up in care. Often, – all of the above. The injustices created by social inequalities in early life cause the sort of damage that leads to the cycle of crime that is so dominant in the lives of so many in our system.
Reoffending rates in our country are high. There are currently almost as many people being recalled back to prison as are being released. Self-inflicted deaths are judged to be 6 times more likely in prison than in the general population.
If you want more information, the Bromley Factfile, produced by the Prison Reform Trust is the place to visit.
But all is not lost! St Paul was told by the Spirit, ‘my grace is all you need! For my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Cor 12:9. If we bring the presence of Christ to bear in the places in our communities where intervention and mediation, rehabilitation and restoration are needed, we will surely see transformation. This, at least, has been my story.
I know that Amelia is wanting this service to celebrate the work of volunteers. In our gospel reading, Jesus called God ‘kind to the ungrateful and the wicked’ and urged his disciples to be ‘merciful, just as your Father is merciful.’ Certainly, chaplaincy work in prisons is blessed to have so many volunteers who are willing to be kind in so many ways. I have met so many wonderful people doing so much that goes unseen and often gets no recognition. And not just in the Chaplaincy but across the prison estate. The training and support that The Samaritans give to prison Listeners. The work of the National Association of Prison Visitors. Of PACT who intervene to help families stay in touch. AA and other anonymous groups that brave prisons to offer support to those in recovery from addiction. The members of Prison Fellowship providing the Angel Tree Christmas present and the Sycamore Tree restorative justice programmes. Members of the Independent Monitoring Board who act as ‘the eyes and ears of the public’ to ensure fair treatment in the Prison and Probation Service… I know that the Courts also have those who gather to offer victim support or assist in other important ways, and my husband’s curate was, until last year, a Special with the police. I must stop there because there are too many to mention and I will get into trouble for missing folk out! If you are here as a volunteer in the Criminal Justice arena, please talk to others about what you do after the service. We want to affirm all those working voluntarily in these ways – and say THANK YOU.
I’m nearly out of time…
I would love to tell you more about Danny (none of the names I’m using are real), a young man who came with me to Guildford Cathedral many years ago to tell the gathered congregation of the way God had gone before him as he sought to reestablish contact with his tiny daughter – we were able to bring her with her Foster parents to say a final goodbye in the prison Chapel.
I would love to tell you more about Nathan, a chapel orderly who had been a cell-mate of Jonathan Aitken who is now an ordained Anglican Chaplain with the team at HMP Pentonville. Nathan and Jonathan encouraged each other in the faith and, by the time he reached Coldingley, Nathan was using the Ignatian practice of the examen on a daily basis. Sadly, he didn’t keep it up when he reached Open Prison and the drugs were readily available! He’s been in and out of prison for the last decade but still loves Jesus. Jonathan reported just this week that Nathan will be joining him at church today.
I’d love to tell you more about Charlie, who badly beat up the drunken driver of the car that caused the death of his 14-year-old son. This was only a few years after Charlie’s wife had died and left him to bring up Jack on his own. Full of anger and bitterness, Charlie and his brother attacked the young driver after he was released from prison. This violent act brought both Dad and Uncle a significant sentence. But slowly, slowly, little-by-little, as Charlie has been coming to Chapel and engaging with that exhortation of Jesus to ‘love our enemies,’ the weight is falling from his shoulders. He spends his days, from our open prison, tending a Derbyshire church graveyard and creeps into the church daily to pray and read his Bible.
Let me end by quoting a letter from a departing prisoner late in 2019. Robert had left Oxford University for a career in education and musical composition and performance about 30 years ago. Sadly, poor choices meant that he found himself in HMP Stafford for 11 months. His career (he might say his life) was ruined by his poor choices whereas, in contrast, my life was made all the easier for almost a year by the presence of a gifted composer and organist – every cloud!
He wrote these words; ‘Dear Jo, not so long ago I was in the year that would never end, but here I am, one day before release; the future beckons…’ he went on ‘What I have found in the Chaplaincy has been a gentle yet firm steer onto a new course and one that is very much founded on trust in God.’ He had rediscovered God’s love in the most unlikely of places. It is nearly 5 years since Robert penned those words and life has not been easy. We are members of a society that takes some delight in defining a person by the worst thing they have ever done.
I am sad that in our society the road travelled by active people of faith is the one less travelled. But I would want to echo Robert Frost and say that, for me, travelling that road has made all the difference.
