Miracles of transformation

Joolz Saunders reflects on being a Quaker prison chaplain

There is no denying the fact that it is difficult to find ‘that of God’ in some prison inmates. We have to hope that with help they can change for the better. Jürgen Moltmann, in his book Theology of Hope, reminds us how hope strengthens and increases our faith if it is anchored in God. If we go along with this idea then we are more likely to treat people with positive regard and respect rather than dwell on their past and their mistakes. We are allowing change to happen and keeping possibilities open, even though we know that their crimes may be tabloid headline-worthy.

Chaplaincy work is based on acknowledging a negative pattern of behaviour and why inmates are in prison in the first place. It helps them look at past behaviour and also how they can make changes for the better. Good prison officers do this too, as each prisoner usually has an individual officer who can make a real difference with a firm but positive approach. It is very rewarding for everyone when an offender begins to behave differently.

However, the problem is often that an offender’s past is ever-present and hard to put aside. This makes it difficult for an ex-offender who is back in ‘the outside’ world to move on in their life when their past behaviour is constantly being brought up. ‘We know what you are like,’ we hear – rather than ‘We must get to know you now as a different person’. Chaplains might suggest that before being released a prisoner considers moving away from their previous haunts so they are not drawn back into ‘bad company’ and tempted to return to their old ways.

Recently, a prisoner told me that he had persisted in his bad behaviour and knew he would land in prison. Once there, he realised that prison was exactly where he needed to be in order to get the appropriate help. With encouragement and support from the chaplaincy team he found the courage and commitment to make the necessary changes in his life. That support had not been available to him ‘on the outside’. His way of life and pattern of living had become too much for him to handle. So, he ‘lost the plot’.

Prisons should be places of last resort – a necessity – given that we do not have, as yet, an ability to sustain an inclusive approach towards those who offend. Perhaps the fact that our society resorts to prison too quickly is a reflection not of crime rates but of our collective inability to tolerate and embrace ‘the other’ – those who are different or difficult, when too much effort on our part is required for us to include them in our social spheres.

For some, prison is a place where food, bed, warmth and ‘mates’ are guaranteed. This is preferable to a broken home, life on the streets, or being in a hostel – all of which can be dangerous places. But at the same time this costs the taxpayer an average of £40,000 a year per prisoner and doesn’t solve the problem of the revolving door in which so many prisoners are trapped.

All chaplains have a duty to help any inmate who asks, but we refer them to their particular faith chaplain for ongoing help. Most chaplains will tell you that it is a privilege to be able to work within the prison setting. It is where miracles of transformation can happen before your eyes!

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