Thought for the Week: A forgotten world

Chris Holmquist reflects on his experience at the Quaker prison chaplains' conference

by Chris Holmquist 15th November 2013

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord… when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:31-46 I have learned recently that if you ever end up in prison, choosing your religious affiliation can have important consequences. If you class yourself as Muslim, you’ll get a Halal diet, which is usually preferable to standard prison food. If you say you’re a Mormon you get hot chocolate, rather than disgusting tea or coffee, and, if you go in as a Quaker? Cadbury’s chocolate? Clarks shoes? A banker’s bonus from Barclays Bank? – sadly not!