The photograph shows a mug made by an adult male serving a sentence at HMP La Moye. He gifted several of the mugs he made to members of staff, to thank them for “helping us all through this pandemic, by being willing to put yourselves at risk so that life was bearable for us”. This was due in no small part to the fact that many within the prison had responded positively to the measures being put in place to ensure one another’s safety. Even if it was unconsciously, we adopted one of the bedrocks of Catholic Social Teaching, solidarity, recognising that acting together, we can make a difference. It encapsulates the respect that was shown for others by so many, in order to ensure that by working together we did what was right for one another.
Fear. The word and the emotion which has been at the forefront of my mind these past four months. When you leave work one day as part of a prison chaplaincy team made up of twenty two people but by the middle of the next day you are the only one permitted to enter the prison site, deemed as a ‘critical worker’, you know there may be something to be fearful of.
When you are briefed as to where you are ‘on the curve,’ shown what was expected, offered emergency accommodation, instructed in the procedures for meeting with other people, with the proactive steps of cancelling all social visits and isolating those deemed to be medically vulnerable being taken, then one soon became aware that fear was being shared not just by all within the prison environment but also by all those who had some connection with it, especially families.
However, those here in HMP La Moye Jersey have not had to endure at least 23 hours a day in their cells as reported elsewhere. A reduced regime has been able to continue. From my perspective as chaplain it has meant that I have been privileged to be in one of the few places across the British Isles where it has been possible to gather together for prayer with those I am called to serve. The opportunity to practise their faith was clearly a significant factor in dealing with fear for a number of people.
As it became apparent that Jersey was not experiencing the impact of COVID-19 to the same extent as elsewhere, that fear regarding one’s own health reduced. Though this only meant that fear for the well-being of family members and loved ones, many of whom are off-island, was significantly raised - whilst for others there emerged something which many people may find a somewhat surprising fear, the fear of being released. Three key factors assisting the reintegration process for people being released from prison are accommodation, employment and social networks.[1] Access to all three of those key factors has been significantly restricted as a result of the pandemic. Given that people with a lack of suitable housing were deemed especially vulnerable to the virus, such a fear is not without foundation.
Prison Chaplaincy and Catholic Social Thought
Reflecting upon these fears during the COVID-19 pandemic has served to confirm that, in relation to prison chaplaincy and Catholic Social Thought, three essential areas for action continue to need our attention.
Faith: We must remember that for people of faith serving prison sentences, the opportunity to attend chapel is a crucial element for their well-being. Gerard Lemos found that, for such individuals, the most frequently mentioned benefit of attending chapel was “an opportunity to practise their faith and be close to God”.[2] This provides a much valued sense of fellowship and social interaction away from the cell and the wing. As people found solace in their faith during this experience, we must not forget that those in prison “often draw on faith to cope… services, prayer and religious objects can all bring comfort and help people feel more positive”.[3]
Family: The maintaining and strengthening of positive family relationships can be a significant factor in promoting positive behaviour and assist the process of reintegration. Those who receive visits and have strong family support upon release from prison are around 40% less likely to reoffend”.[4] The work of Caritas Jersey and Pact demonstrate how we can provide the advice and support which is so vital in sustaining positive family relationships. This work is important for all of society since a “stable, supportive family… is a key factor in preventing reoffending”.[5] As a Church we need to not only recognise that such families need support but also do our utmost to ensure that such work is adequately resourced.
Future: The Church is rightly commended for its committed and long-standing history of ministering to those in prison. But to encounter individuals fearing their release highlights that for many, imprisonment doesn’t always conclude with the end of a sentence. They may leave a physical prison for a virtual one of homelessness, unemployment, addiction, loneliness or poverty. Prison ministry needs to extend beyond the walls of a prison by establishing a community chaplaincy approach to provide the ‘through the gate’ mentoring to support some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
It is unlikely that outreach to such a marginalized group will be a priority of central Governments in the near future, if at all. Particularly those calling on ministers to see if they can make savings of up to 20% to help deal with the financial impact of the COVID – 19 response. Reaching out to those who have been in prison isn’t a key performance indicator for politicians facing their ‘judgement day’ with voters at the polls. But for those who profess to be followers of Jesus, demonstrating a preferential option for the poor and the vulnerable is not only a key principle of Catholic Social Teaching, it is most certainly a key performance indicator for their judgement day. “Come… inherit the kingdom prepared for you… for I was in prison and you came to me”.[6]
In 2015, when speaking at the Curran-Fromhold correctional facility, Pope Francis said that all of us are invited to help “to give you a hand in getting back on the right road, to give you a hand to help you re-join society”.[7] Now, perhaps more than ever, we as a Church need to heed that call, along with that of our own bishops, for the Catholic community to consider new ways by which it can support those people leaving prison. ‘Through the gate’ mentoring offers a practical way by which churches can respond to this call to assist with the reintegration process. “If a robust approach to safeguarding is guaranteed, the parish setting could provide a supportive environment for ex-offenders trying to turn their lives around”.[8]
Emerging from lockdown and looking forward
As we all emerge from our own experience of lockdown due to COVID-19, it is to be hoped that we will be more aware of the needs of those who continually live with lockdown as part of their daily routine whilst serving a prison sentence.
As we have struggled with the closure of our churches and the inability to practise our faith as we might wish; may we now realise the importance for those in prison to practise their faith.
As we have longed to be re-united with family and friends; may we appreciate the necessity for people in prison to be helped in maintaining positive family relationships.
As we have feared for our future with the economic uncertainty of the post-lockdown period; may we consider how we can best support those who fear for their future post-release.
David Cahill is a deacon, serving the Catholic Church in Jersey. He has been the Catholic chaplain with The States of Jersey Prison Service since September 2009, based at HMP La Moye.
[1] Ministry of Justice, Transforming rehabilitation: a summary of evidence on reducing reoffending (Online, 2003), https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/243718/evidence-reduce-reoffending.pdf, p. 5.
[2] Gerard Lemos, Belief and Belonging (London: Lemos and Crane, 2016), p. 18.
[3] CBCEW, The right road: a Catholic approach to prison reform, (Online, 2016) https://familyofsites.bishopsconference.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/the-right-road.pdf, p. 4.
[4] Jane Dominey, Charlotte Dodds, and Serena Wright, 2016, Bridging the Gap (Online: University of Cambridge, 2016), https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=b3a9b7c6-d93d-4545-b1b8-e1274d9d2c23, p. 12.
[5] CBCEW, A Place of Redemption (London: Burns & Oates, 2004), p. 24.
[6] Matt. 25:34-36.
[7] Pope Francis, 2015, Address on visit to Curran-Fromhold correctional facility (online, 2015) http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/september/documents/papa-francesco_20150927_usa-detenuti.html.
[8] CBCEW, A journey of hope: a Catholic approach to sentencing reform (Online, 2018) https://familyofsites.bishopsconference.org.uk/plain/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/11/a-journey-of-hope-catholic-approach-sentencing-reform.pdf, p. 5.