TWO members of Positive Justice Gloucestershire went to London last week for the launch of new book, Life Beyond Crime: what do those at risk of offending, prisoners, and ex-offenders need to learn?
Some months ago the Monument Trust asked for short essays that answered the question, ‘what do prisoners and ex-offenders need to learn?’ They had around 50 responses from those working in the criminal justice system, professionally or in a voluntary capacity, serving prisoners and ex-offenders.
Two of these came from the PJG members.
The book is full of hope, and evidence that people can change.
Ways in which this can happen range from training those in prison to work in fibre optics, to working in organic horticulture.
PJG member Hilary Peters wrote of the importance of connection, particularly with an individual who accepts them unconditionally.
This gives prisoners a different view of themselves - as someone worth while.
It gives them the incentive to change.
Mary Brown of Stroud wrote that ‘we are all, everyone, meant to shine’.
As a Quaker prison chaplain, she found the truth of the Quaker belief that we all have ‘that of God’ within us.
Also at the launch was Yorkshire based artist and good friend of PJG, Norman Anderson.
Norman has spoken a PJG meetings, particularly about his art, which he discovered in prison.
In the book he wrote of how at the age of 48, embarking on a 18 year prison sentence for drug importation, after 40 years of drug addiction and crime, he received a letter from his eldest daughter.
She wrote: ‘Dear Daddy, you are our daddy so we forgive you.’ This so shook him that he gave up drugs on the spot.
Initially he was very vulnerable, but through yoga, meditation and counselling, Norman discovered art and Quakerism.
He had someone who accepted him unconditionally and went on to shine. He now has a master’s degree in fine arts, and is contemplating a PhD.
The book also contains poetry and artwork by those in prison.
It is an inspiring testimony to the capacity that humans have for change.
It challenges the pessimism of the media and many of those in government.
It is testimony to our common humanity. Email mary.brown@phonecoop.coop or see pjglos.org
Find more community news at stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk
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