From The Inside

Re-Branding?

In previous generations it would have been regarded as a success of the criminal justice system.  A young teenager is convicted of embezzling £2,000 while serving as a church treasurer.  He is removed from his post, charged by the police, convicted by the courts and receives a non-custodial sentence.

But he learns his lesson it would seem - and goes on to study for an Accountancy degree and 27 years later is made Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Water.  It's a success story - for he turns his life around and doesn't re-offend.  The offence is regarded as 'spent' - and he is free to get on with his life.

But this is 30 years later - and attitudes have changed.  Resigning last week from NI Water in the aftermath of all the burst pipes following the 'Big Freeze', Laurence MacKenzie's offence has come to light.  There is to be an enquiry into whether his past was known, calls for his severance package to be suspended, and questions as to why he was allowed to reach "the highest echelons of this organisation given that background". (See for example: Guardian, BBC)

It's a perfect example of the change of attitude, at least within the media and political circles, which we have seen over the past decade.  Notions of rehabilitation and fresh starts, to say nothing of forgiveness and grace, have long since departed from the dialogue, and instead a more punitive, unforgiving and retributive climate prevails.  Where it would seem that if someone breaches the legal code, irrespective of the punishment they serve or how they live the remainder of their life, that somehow their status as a citizen is irrevocably changed, they become a lesser-being, an ex-offender, and they must never be allowed to forget nor move on.  Where even 30 years later when an offence comes to light, totally removed from any context of what exactly happened and why, the crowds continue to bay for blood.

It's a retrograde step to pre-modern times where criminals used to be branded for life, and made to forever bear the marks of their shame.  Reminiscent of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables where Jean Valjean is forced to adopt a new identity in order to redeem himself, but where his past is always biting at his heels, in the form of Javert, seeking to destroy the progress he has made.

Far removed from grace and Gospel.

Be Merciful

I’ve been meaning to start blogging again for weeks – but Jon Venables has brought me out of retirement.

It’s been like living in the dark ages these past few days as the baying crowds, led as always by the tabloids, have gathered with their pitchforks and spades, and rounded upon the wounded Venables', seeking for the kill.  In an uncharacteristic demonstration of leadership the Government yesterday decisively and unequivocally announced that ‘no’, Venables' identity would NOT be compromised and ‘no’, details of the reasons for his recall would NOT be released – because at the end of the day not only do they NOT have the right to know – but they also have no need to know.  The snarling press have given a whimper, and for now at least, have skunked away with their tails between their legs.  No doubt they will return.

I can barely remember when I was 10.  I was in primary 6 and Mrs Poole was my teacher.  There are other small fragments in there – but it was a lifetime ago; a different life.  I was a child.  I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been like to have to go through life constantly bearing the public shaming of what I had done way back then.

I can barely imagine what it must be like to go through life under a lie, with a false name and a false history, because if people knew who I really was (and what I had done when I was 10!) they would not only hate me, but some would want to kill me.  Knowing that even those who have come to like and love me the most only do so because they too believe the lie.  Living in daily fear of being exposed – or lynched.

So what have we learned this week about Jon Venables?  He’s been living in the North of England in a bed-sit by himself.  He’s been unable to form any meaningful relationships since his release.  Struggling to cope it has been alleged he can’t get through a day without drink and drugs.  All because of something he did when he was 10. 

Of course there are many who argue that what he did was so serious that he doesn’t deserve to ever move on.  That he should spend the rest of his life in custody.  But that is not justice – that is vengeance. 

Exodus Update

Exodus has been up and running now for about 6 months - and continues to go from strength to strength.  We regularly have about 12 guys meeting every week and in total 20-30 guys have come along in that time and show up when they can.  Some live far away which makes the journey difficult.

I'm not saying that Exodus can take all the credit - but since we started not one of our guys has returned to prison - and for a couple of them at least this has been a record!  We do have one guy up in court for offences committed late last year.  The social work did reports on him at that time, and concluded that his life was so chaotic that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.  However, given the change they have seen in him in the last six months and his involvement with Exodus (which in turn has led on to him attending services in his local church and doing an Alpha course) the social work have agreed to throw out their last assessment and start again, to reflect these changes and the fact he has stayed out of prison for a record period of time.

We are needing to extend the work of Exodus however and are looking at 2 possibilities.  One is for us to buy a mini-bus!  So many guys are wanting to come but have no means to get there, that in the short term we could do with some form of transport.  But we need a driver!  In the longer term we may look to start up Exodus groups in different areas, but at the moment we don't have enough of a critical mass from another area to do this.

The other thing that looks more likely is that we need a house!  Guys are coming out of prison with no accomodation, or are being stuck in hostels or bed & breakfast accomodation, and they have no support.  Especially for guys who are serious in their Christian commitment, but are young in faith, they need support and good company.  We have one guy (an ex-prisoner now studying a BA in theology!) who wants to live in this house and be a supervisor/mentor to the guys - and we have 2 guys at the moment who would greatly value a "safe house" to stay - so we are actively looking to at least rent, if not buy in the long-term, accomodation for Exodus.  There are new 4 bedroom houses being built in the heart of the community here which would be ideal - but we would need about 120 people/groups to pledge £1000 each - do-able?  With the rental income we would then get in from the house, we could buy our minibus and give support in many other ways.

This would require Exodus seeking full charitable status however - and the thought of that process makes me bury my head in the sand! 

I have more to say about Exodus - but reckon I've said enough for this post - stay tuned!

Exodus Update

Exodus is still doing well.  Since April when we started we've had over 20 guys pass through our doors - most of them coming along regularly.  Some travel a fair distance which makes it difficult sometimes for them to get transport through etc.  Ideally we should have local Exodus groups all over the place - but as yet we don't have enough folk to make sufficient numbers in each place.  But hopefully those days will come.  Of all the guys who come along none as yet have been returned to prison - which for some has been a major achievement!

Our format is simple - we have a time of singing and worship which is usually a pretty enthusiastic affair - in fact last night I had to cut it short (well it was nearly 10pm!) because the guys were singing so loudly (some would say shouting!) that I really was afraid that 2 policemen were going to come through the door saying that there had been complaints!  (We are next door to a pub and we still make the most noise!).  But it was great to see the guys so into it - last night they just stood up and raised their hands in the air.  Having no strap on my guitar at the time, I was the only one left sitting!!

Then we have a lesson from the Bible - we're working our way through Mark's Gospel.  I love the perspective the guys sometimes bring to the passages.  (Concentration is still sometimes an issue - and keeping them all focussed - but I've had plenty of experience of that in the prison!).  Last night one of the guys kept wanting to read us passages that he had just discovered in his Bible through the week such as Philippians 2 and 1 Corinthians 13 - both well known passages but he kept asking "have you ever read this before?"  I told him I wished I could be reading them for the first time again like he has been, and getting blown away by them.

And then we have a prayer time - which can either be everyone praying in turn - or else individuals being personally prayed for.  All this happens amidst loads of coffee/tea, cakes and general chatting and catching up.  It can be 10.30pm or even later before we get folk to leave!

One guy who left the prison a couple of weeks back and who would love to come to Exodus but lives too far away (although he's managing to come in 2 weeks) sent me this text on Wednesday that made my day.  It read (I quote) "A prayed today for the first time since ive been out it felt realy good god bles the world:-)"  He has little support - so keep young James in your prayers.  (He was an irregular attender at Chaplaincy things in the jail - but one time when he came down he was complaining bitterly about having ear-ache, so to keep him quiet I got a few of the regulars to take him into a corner and pray for him - and he was healed!  He has never really made a commitment though - but he's not resistant either.)

The Kingdom of God has Come?

I have really dried up on the blogging front.  No idea why.  I've probably just settled into work within the prison and the daily routine - and maybe nothing new happens from day to day.  (That can't really be true!?)  I have a decision to make however.  In the next 10 days my annual subscription is up on this blog site.  Do I renew or do I just retire?  I suppose you'll find out in the next 10 days!!

I've also been busy with a new group I've started.  It's called Exodus. I realised that for some of the guys who had been attending Chaplaincy things while in prison, and who had been starting at the very least to investigate the things of God, that once released they often fall away and don't make the transition into a local church.  So, along with one other guy who is now out on parole, I decided to start a wee fellowship group - for worship, Bible study, prayer and general support and friendship.  I told him that even if it was just the 2 of us we'd meet and pray for guys we knew.

It never was just the 2 of us!  We regularly have about 10-12 guys, all ex-prisoners.  Some have returned to the Christian commitments they have made previously, others are starting from scratch!  (During one study recently one guy asked "You mean Jesus came alive again??  I knew he died on a cross - I never knew he came alive again!)

I think it's helping!  One guy in particular came along a few weeks ago and prayed out from the bottom of his heart for God to help him and change him.  It was very real.  And what a change since - he said he left that night and has never felt the same since.  It's early days but he's now stayed out of prison for about 7 weeks - and only once before has he gone so long in the past 10 years.  He's off drugs, his family have welcomed him back, and he feels the urge to go round and apologise to folk he has offended against in the past and pay them back for things he has stolen.

Another guy announced that last week he went out and bought some shopping.  Not remarkable?  Well he said that was the first time he'd paid for his shopping in 5 years!!  Another guy announced that for 3 weekends in a row now he hasn't been lifted for being drunk and disorderly.  He did get into a fight two weeks ago (and had his jaw broken with a baseball bat!) and while family and friends all want to go for revenge, he wants to do it Jesus' way - and turn the other cheek and forgive.

Maybe not all remarkable stories - but as they were telling me these, and more, recently, I kept thinking "Behold, the Kingdom of God is coming among you."  Take control Father!