‘For a few weeks Denzil would appear with a big grin on his face. He was secretly making something but couldn’t yet tell us what.’ Photo: by John Salvino on Unsplash
Meeting a maker: Julia Richardson on an inspiring inmate
‘One of the first things Denzil said to me was that prison had taught him everything.’
I have known Denzil since around 2003, when I became Quaker chaplain at one of our prisons. He is a ‘lifer’ who has been in prison for many years.
I remember one of the first things Denzil said to me was that prison had taught him everything, including reading and writing. Soon he was avidly perusing everything in the prison’s library that pertained to philosophy and spirituality. My husband Norman accompanied me on these trips and I have fond memories of the two of them engaged in deep conversation about Osho Rajneesh or some other mystical thinker.
Denzil is such a kind man. I remember him buying biscuits to go with our after-Meeting coffee, and when he moved to a prison where cooking facilities were available, I am told he baked delicious goodies to share. Denzil was enthusiastic about our weekly Quaker Meeting and this enthusiasm was contagious – our small group increased in numbers, and not just for the biscuits!
For a few weeks Denzil would appear with a big grin on his face. He was secretly making something but couldn’t yet tell us what. When the mysterious object appeared it turned out to be a colourful wooden box to keep our Quaker books and leaflets in. He also embroidered ‘QUAKERS’ onto some fabric, which he then turned into a tea tray for us. These things are so special because they are still there as a reminder of the hours spent not just in creating something useful, but of the loving thought and care with which they were made.
When Denzil moved to another prison I sometimes heard news of him through the Quaker chaplains’ network. When Norman died I sent Denzil one of his books, by Jiddu Krishnamurti, which had been something of a favourite. I was planning to move house and realised that Denzil would be moving to a prison local to me. He shortly transferred to his current facility and before Covid restrictions I was able to visit him there.
I remember the joy when Denzil was granted his release on parole. He started to make plans to move to a hostel in an area where he had once lived. Soon, however, this joy was marred by Denzil’s persistent cough. It was diagnosed as lung cancer, which has now spread throughout his body.
Naturally this has led to thoughts and questions about the end of life, and we have been discussing this in our precious half-hour online visits. I suggested that he might like to write something about his life and indeed he did. With his permission, what he sent me is on the facing page.
