Caring for ex-offenders

Whatever we think may be the shortcomings (or not) of the Alpha Course, there is no doubt that God is using it to good effect within the prisons.

Of the 158 prisons and detention centres in Britain, 125 are running Alpha courses and prisoners are turning to Christ.

With this background a training day was held at London's Holy Trinity Brompton (home of the Alpha course) on November 9, to consider how churches could help back into society those who have made a profession of faith, and, perhaps even more difficult, help them into the church. The impact that Alpha is making in the prison system was underlined by the fact that Sir David Ramsbotham (Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons) took time to speak at the conference, and Paul Boateng, MP (Minister at the Home Office) spoke on video to the gathering.

Theology of prison work

Nicky Gumbel related how Alpha started in prisons, but prefaced that with some theological reasons. He said that all the fundamental biblical doctrines encourage us to take the gospel into prisons. The doctrine of creation tells us that every person behind prison bars is created in the image of God. The doctrine of the Fall tells us that there but for the grace of God go we. None of us are in a position to judge others. We have all broken God's law. The doctrine of redemption means that every person behind prison bars is a person for whom Christ died and whom God loves. However low they have fallen they can be changed. The doctrine of future glory tells us that every person behind prison bars who comes to know the Lord can be with Jesus in eternity and be like him.

How the door opened

HTB's work in prisons started in 1994 with a phone call from Exeter prison. Emmy Wilson (of HTB) already had some link with Holloway women's prison, and was asked to go and take an Alpha day in Exeter. She said she really did not want to go and initially refused. But under pressure from God she eventually agreed. Two London gangsters in Exeter prison (a father and son who had been convicted of smuggling 4.5 tons of cannabis into the country), were involved in this invitation, through a connection with a young woman at HTB. Emmy took a team of seven to the prison in December 1994 and had a terrific time for the gospel.

In May 1995 the father and son were moved to a prison on the Isle of Sheppey. They persuaded the authorities to have an Alpha day there. Then they were moved to Maidstone, and similarly a request came for an Alpha team and Alpha course. Soon requests were coming from all over the country, followed by very moving letters from inmates expressing their joy and thanks at having found Christ. Paul Cowley, himself an ex-young offender from Manchester, now heads Prison Alpha for HTB. Of the 66,000 men and women in Britain's prisons, around 8,000 have been on an Alpha course. At one prison there is a six-month waiting list for Alpha.

Back into society

But what happens when prisoners who have come to Christ inside reach the end of their sentences? A brochure advertising the training day carried part of a letter from a prisoner in Dartmoor written last May, which highlighted the need very well: 'We need you, the church. We don't want to backslide, we don't want to be lost again. I've prayed that this prison will become a beacon in the darkness of British prisons, and I think it is becoming so. I'm not religious, Christ is my personal friend and Saviour ... Many of us feel nervous when we leave prison, not least because forgiveness is not a politically-correct word. The fear of not being welcomed by our own Christian brothers and sisters is the worst fear of all.'

In the afternoon session at the conference Charlie Colchester of CARE addressed what churches could do to help. He said that a criminal record carries long-term consequences in our society. Without in any way wishing to minimise that, the church has the capacity to give back the dignity that the world is not prepared to give. We must help prisoners readjust. There will be problems and it would be foolish to think otherwise. But they can be met with patience and the love of Christ.

He felt that three major problems had to do with fear. We might be afraid that our church was going to be over-run with ex-offenders! Although Alpha has been successful, it has not been that successful! In the last 12 months just 106 Christian ex-offenders had come back into society. If a church is prepared to take on just one, then good steps would be made.

Then there is the fear that somehow ex-offenders are a special category of people. How would you fit a character reminiscent of Dickens's Magwitch into your church in a leafy suburb? But they are people just like us, in need of significance, security and self-worth. We can welcome and care for them.

Then there is the fear that with no job and no money, such people would just become a drain on our church. But that is the very problem Prison Alpha will help with.

Guidelines

Accompanying this talk, the delegates' pack included a booklet entitled 'Caring for ex-offenders: guidelines for churches'. This is extremely helpful. Some of the main points are:
* It is a mistake to expose the ex-offender to too much publicity too quickly. The idea of him or her giving their testimony around the churches or on local radio within a few weeks of discharge is foolish.
* It is the responsibility of the church which wants to assist the ex-offender to contact the relevant authorities and find out the facts about him/her.
* You may find that you have a con-man on your hands. This does not mean that the church should straight away cut off the ex-offender. But it does call for practical wisdom.
* All referrals should be dealt with as confidentially as possible to protect the ex-offender from prejudice or damaging gossip.
* It is important to be sensitive to the temptations faced by ex-offenders. An ex-offender may have difficulty disciplining himself in such areas as finance. Christians need to be firm in their guidance, not providing more money than is sensible, while remaining supportive and helpful.
* It is much better for a group of mature Christians to work together with an ex-offender than for one person to try to work alone.
* Some prisoners may be very institutionalised, having been deprived of real choice for a long time. They may not know how to cope with bills or cook meals. This may be so even though they are zealous for the Lord.
The training day also included seminars showing how to help specific categories of prisoners, including sex offenders.

For more information about caring for ex-offenders contact Alpha in Prisons, Holy Trinity Brompton, Brompton Road, London SW7 1JA (020 7590 8258).

Caring for ex-offenders

What can we do to help Christian prisoners when they come out?

Theology of prison work

How the door opened

Back into society

Guidelines

JEB

John Benton

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