What Makes us Get up in the Morning

An ‘Inside’ look at the need

BY ANDY LANNING - TRUSTEE

I’ve been a Prison Chaplain for nine years. In that time I’ve had invitations to speak at many places about the Church’s role in prisons. My first talk at any church or meeting will always contain one story in particular. You may have heard it before but I make no apology for repeating it here; the phrase “Lest We Forget” is not confined to the battlefields of Europe but also to our own doorsteps. I then read out the following article:

FROM THE PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH 17 JANUARY 2007:

A HOMELESS man at the centre of a murder investigation who had turned his back on an appalling life of crime.

He was found in a disused outhouse, where he lived, in Central Avenue, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough.

Today, it emerged that Sean Rodgers (36), had changed while he was in prison, and had vowed to change his ways.

A close friend, who did not want to be named, said: “The last letter I received from him in prison

“He realised he had done some pretty bad things, which he felt awful about, and he wanted to sort his life out.

“He had a very bad childhood and was a very damaged man, but he knew he needed to change.”

But Mr Rodgers found life on the outside very difficult, and was soon sleeping in a freezing cold outhouse and drinking heavily.

However, friends claimed he had curbed his violent tendencies and kicked his drug habit.

A post-mortem examination has been held, but the cause of Mr Rodgers’ death has yet to be ascertained.

Sean Rodgers is an extreme example of what happens to many men and women who make great progress ‘inside’ but with so little support on the outside they then slip down the ladder again. Sean happened to come to faith in prison. What he did not find was a local church to be part of on release …. or a place to live. We help people irrespective of their faith and we want to see churches helping anyone who wants to turn their life around – Christian, Muslim, Atheist. My colleague Jackie Wiegman puts the need on release this way:

“Without question many prisoners dread being released more than they dread coming into prison. For those prisoners who do not have had a stable family to return to on release the prospect of trying to make a new life from scratch is overwhelmingly difficult.

Many prisoners make good progress in prison; some find faith some don’t but many begin to believe that there is a better life beyond the often chaotic one they’ve only ever known but they can’t do it on their own. What makes all the difference is having the right support when they leave the safe and secure environment of the prison. The basics - a roof over their head and employment are important but it’s the mentoring and moral support that’s so vital too - people to befriend them and to encourage them on in difficult moments – a loving community that might welcome them in …….”

“What makes all the difference is having the right support when they leave the safe and secure environment of the prison. ” Thank you for reading our review, may you be blessed, inspired and challenged.

Andy

Outcome

Have maintained their tenancy

1st 2 yrs % yr ending 04/13 (37 tenants) % yr ending 04/14 (65 tenants) Quote from Tenant

76% 97% 96% “Finding a home means I feel I can get a job.”

Have abstained from crime

78% 94% 92%

“A couple of times, when I was feeling down, I have wanted to go back on ‘a job.’ I know I could earn so much more money that way. But I phoned up my mentor from the church, had a good moan, and then when I put down the phone I was ok again.”

Have volunteered 24% 39% 34%

“I like helping others, especially those who have been through a similar path to me.”

Have got Employment, Education, Training (EET)

16% 22% 32%

“Finding work has made me feel so much better about myself. Since finding a home things have really begun turning around for me.”

Have improved family relations

64% 83% 69%

“Being with my family again after about 10 years was the best Christmas ever.”

Have not abused alcohol or drugs 73% 89% 88%

“I feel so much freer, I find my hearing and my senses have improved so much. I just feel much more alive.”

Norwich tenant

Sarah had many issues when she first came to the house in Norwich and initially had trouble with the house mates and wanted to leave. She has bounced from one housing provider to another for the last few years, and by spending time with her, supporting her and talking through her issues, we have enabled her to patch up the issues with her house mates and taught her about not running from difficult issues. Since then she has been successful in attending a 3 week training course by a very respectable employer and starts a job with them. She has also met her biological father for the first time and started a relationship with him.

Peterborough tenant

Rob had spent 20 years being homeless, living on the streets, in hostels, involved in drugs, heroin addiction and more. He had managed to get clean in rehab but was never able to stay clean ‘in community’. He moved into one of our houses in October 2013 and a member of the church team paid off some of his debts. In January Rob gave up all drugs and drug substitutes and has been clean ever since. He said “The difference this time is I have a family from the church. I can phone my mentor up anytime.” Rob has led a discussion group with the church and regularly volunteers for Hope into Action.