Thank you for your invitation to address you from this pulpit to remind ourselves of the needs of those affected by imprisonment and our responsibilities as members of Gods church.  And what you may ask yourself, does the Bishop’s wife know about that ?!

As a Social Worker by profession, and currently working  in the Courts with children and their families who are subject to contested proceedings, I have throughout my career had cause to visit parents in custody.  I have always found prisons them to be soulless places !  perhaps its about failure, lack of hope and being at the ‘end of the road’.  By definition, they are institutions, in the worst sense of the word  -  cold, impersonal and punitive.  Of course we understand that for security reasons, these elements are required, and it is very difficult to make the necessary provision and still create an atmosphere of care.

Without burdening ourselves with statistics, it is generally accepted that our prisons are in crisis.  We have in the United Kingdom the highest rate of custody  for offences than any other European country and despite a massive programme of building new establishments over recent years, they are still overcrowded and the Prison Service itself is unable to meet prisoner needs as they would wish.  Only when prisoners take their own lives or are killed by an inappropriate cell mate, does the situation come to public attention.

If the Chief Inspector of Prisons, currently Ann Owers, comments adversely on a particular concern   which is picked up by the  media, again we hear about it.  But more generally, the needs and experience of those affected by imprisonment are not talked about, cannot be seen, and are therefore difficult for us to understand and respond, either individually or collectively.  

From the 20^th of this month, as every year, we have Prisons Week, when churches try to remember the needs and opportunities in their prayers and action.  Although a fortnight early !   Carol asked that I share with you the emerging opportunities here in Chelmsford Diocese -   in our two prisons  - 600 Men in Chelmsford and 400 Women in Bulwood Hall, Hockley.    Both have young offenders wings so have the whole adult age range to cater for.

The Church of England has an historic and important relationship with these penal establishments through its Chaplaincies in every place.  All prisoners have a right of access to Chaplains for spiritual care and worship.  Increasingly Chaplaincies have a multi-faith team to cater for those belonging to other religious groups but many also attend Christian services, Alpha and other such discussion groups about faith.  But paid or non-stipendiary Clergy cannot do it all,  and are increasingly looking to the laity in our churches to assist, especially with specific projects.

My first awareness of these avenues of service came through the Mothers Union – (wonderful organisation with a totally misleading name).  Mothers Union is about Christian care and concern for families worldwide and together with its central contribution through thinking about social policy developments, has also now got projects in 80+ prisons throughout United Kingdom.   In the much smaller Guildford Diocese there are 4 prisons and Mothers Union is now active in each.  In a Diocese the size of Chelmsford, we should be able to provide assistance in the two we have here, and to that end and +John and I have talked with both Governors and Chaplains about their needs with particular emphasis on the inmates’ families, children and their rehabilitation into the community.

Sadly, Her Majesty's Prisons are not known for their capacity to relate to volunteers and hence the process of establishing ministry has been slow and frustrating.  Only our commitment to the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society, keeps us going .

Our commitment is based on our belief that prisoners are together with the hungry, thirsty, naked and strangers, the poor and the sick, people whom Our Lord specifically named as those with whom we should be concerned.  As with those to whom Jesus spoke, we could say, ‘but when do we see such circumstances’?   Going into prisons is a challenging experience – (1)   establishing our own identity, (2) temporarily losing our own freedom, (3) intrusive questions about our own life style and intentions,  are rewarded by the privilege of reminding ourselves that the tragic situations we observe, must be seen through the eyes of Christ.   

Most of us have been blessed with an upbringing of love and security.  It is therefore by the grace of God that we can manage our lives and those of our families without breaking the Law and having to cope with its effect on those lives.  Attitudes to offending behaviour can also be a problem for us and some of us need to be reminded that Jesus was always to be found associating with those upon whom others turned their backs.   

So what can we do ?

Bulwood Hall have asked for help in several areas but initially in staffing the ‘Welcome House’ which is purpose built outside the gate of the prison.  We are intending to be there (3 at a time) from 1.30pm on visiting days which are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  Friends and relatives travel from all over the country.  We shall be able to give them hot drinks, etc.   talk with them and then when they go into the Prison we shall go in to provide a safe play area for the children.  We are starting with Saturdays from 19^th November.  Eventually we propose to offer parenting groups and other pastoral work with the inmates and to cover the weekdays.

In Chelmsford  we have first been asked to help with a Homework Club on Wednesdays.  Children will be brought in to do their ‘homework with Dad’.  This activity needs some supervision and help.  It is planned from 5.30 - 7pm on Wednesdays.   Those with experience of teaching etc. particularly welcome.  A new Visits Centre is to be built at the Prison and we have offered to provide a similar service to Bulwood initially i.e.  equipping and staffing a safe play area but probably more frequently than Bulwood as numbers are much higher  i.e. approx. 700 and mainly local folk.

So how can we help ?   Requirements are several but simple.  First visits require passport or driving licences being brought and because we are talking about working with children and vulnerable adults, the Law requires that Criminal Records Bureau checks are made – as indeed we have to do in all our churches.  The Mothers Union proposal is to establish a rota of at least 100 people who are willing to participate in the services on a regular but occasional basis.  We are all busy people with family, domestic and often church responsibilities, let alone earning our living !   Some training will be offered and, of course, a visit to one or both of the prisons.   From Epping area,  both establishments can be reached relatively easily and help with travel costs will be available for those who wish/need to claim.  Like to see Parishes taking responsibility for a day i.e. a driver and 2/3 people to assist with the work.  We need women and men as many children lack the experience of caring male figures.  We also need equipment i.e. educational toys, books and puzzles.   But above all its about our Love  -  in the face of suffering relatives we see Jesus face his eyes etc.    

‘I was in prison and you visited me’ said Jesus.  Did we ?   Will we ?  Please see Carol, Geoffrey, Janet Whitehouse and the list at the back of the church.     I referred earlier to my feeling that these are soulless godless places.   My message to you today is  -   Can you help Chelmsford Mothers Union to be part of demonstrating that God is in these places and longing to show the prisoners and their families that His love is for them and in us as we are His people, his arms and His feet in our practical caring?