HMP The Mount

Yesterday I spent the day with one of the Chaplains at The Mount, Bovingdon. I was not at all sure what to expect, never having been in a prison of any sort before. I was a bit nervous too, knowing that there would be 'criminals' there, and the media are always telling us how prisons are over crowded and full of drugs.
The first prisoner we spoke to showed us the note he had written to put inside a card he had requested, to send to the family of the little boy who was shot in Liverpool. He also asked for a verse that he could put in the card. That was when I realised that these 'criminals' are just ordinary people like me or you, who, for one reason or another, have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. He has a child of his own on the outside and could imagine, having been seperated from her, what it must be like to loose a child.
I also realised how important little things can be, things we take for granted, like free access to a phone whenever we want. Caroline, the Chaplain, made a 'call for one of the prisoners and it made such a big difference to him.
Two of the men also wanted us to pray with them.
When we left, we were talking about how hard it must be for the families to walk away when their visit is over, especially the children, and that they, in some ways, serve the sentence too.
In the evening I met with Jenny, my tutor, and we reflected on my experience, what I'd learnt, and how we should respond as Christians and as a church. It has been a very thought provoking experience, and one which I hope to repeat as I have been assured that I can go back any time.

I was in prison and you came to visit me....
Matthew 25:36