What is the difference?

‘What does a murderer look like?’ I have often been asked that question. My reply? ‘Look in a mirror!’

Many look like ‘ordinary Joe’ (or ‘Josephine’!), having committed just one crime. It might have arisen from an apparently ‘ordinary’ drunken punch-up, or jealousy about a wife’s relationship with his ‘friend’. You could have reacted similarly.

A starting point?

Many prisoners admit that they have ‘messed up’ their, and others’, lives. They have direct victims and indirect ones — friends and relatives of those victims. So, it is easier to talk to those ‘inside’ about Christ. This falls short of Holy Spirit conviction of sin, but it is a good starting point from which to share the need to turn from sin and to trust only in Christ’s sacrifice for sinners on Calvary’s cross.

Ordinariness of life inside

Although some aspects of prison life are extra-ordinary, much daily life inside a penal institution mirrors that outside.

We all need food, sleep, clothing, shelter, others’ company, and some freedom about how to spend our time. Some inmates are better fed and protected inside than outside, despite the inevitable complaints about prison food. At least the prison uniform is provided free and can be kept clean. Sleeping is difficult in shared single cells, where toilet, dining and sleeping facilities are within ‘smelling distance’ of each other. Some inmates’ nocturnal habits deny others sleep. But at least they have somewhere to lay their heads.

‘The security of prison life’

Bullying is a major prison problem. To ‘grass someone up’ (report them) is regarded by fellow inmates as ‘anathema’ — only exceeded by sexual crimes against children and women. Nevertheless, one inmate with a ‘contract’ on his life outside and expecting release on appeal, thanked God for ‘the security and peace of prison life’. The friendships and groupings behind bars (sometimes for unworthy reasons) would interest the sociologist. Few prisoners are ‘loners’, though many feel lonely in the crowd. Time allowed for ‘association’ (meeting others on the wing) varies. Attending chapel services uniquely enables inmates to mingle with those from other wings. Some prisons provide academic and vocational courses, meetings to attend, paid work opportunities, sports, or other activities. Sadly, some inmates become so institutionalised that they prefer to stay in.

Big differences

But prison is not a holiday camp! Many inside — especially women greatly missing their children — feel guilty about the suffering that their crimes have caused both their victims and their unintended victims. Additionally, some inmates never receive a letter, birthday card, or personal visit. Add the frustration of uncertainty about their sentences and their future. They feel they have no control over their future and have few real choices to make. Add the helplessness of being unable to grapple with, much less solve, their problems outside prison. Personal relationships are hard to handle from a prison cell. Long-term prisoners worry about how to relate with a changed world after release. Some remand prisoners are held at length and some will finally be acquitted. Prison was never meant to be the ‘holiday camp’, and it is not.

God’s grace in extremities

Against this dark backdrop, DAYLIGHT Christian Prison Trust (associated with DayOne Prison Ministries) shares the Bible’s message of forgiveness through repentant faith in Christ crucified. Its staff and Prison Ministry Associates go to preach the gospel and teach the Bible all over the UK each week. The Bible says, ‘There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are freely justified by his grace’ (Romans 3.22-24).

More details from DAYLIGHT CPT, PO 3173, Swindon, SN6 7WN or Prison@DaylightCPT.org or http://www.daylightcpt.org.

Life inside and outside prison

A starting point?

Ordinariness of life inside

‘The security of prison life’

Big differences

God’s grace in extremities

Gerard Chrispin

Main Articles

Other articles