Church members called for the voices of prisoners to be heard

Church members are inspired to take heed to these affected by or working within the prison justice system – individuals in jail, their households, victims of crime, chaplains and jail employees.

‘Hear My Voice’ is the theme of Prisoners’ Week (17-23 November) a church-led initiative which goals to stimulate dialogue, elevate issues and share hope in prisons and communities throughout Scotland.

It makes an attempt to remind individuals of the plight of the incarcerated, their households, and highlights the work of pastoral care carried out by chaplains.

Launched at Letham St Mark’s Church in Perth on Sunday, Prisoners’ Week is run by the Prisoners’ Week Belief.

It believes that each one individuals affected by crime – these serving sentences, their households, victims of crime and those that have been launched – ought to be cared for and supported.

The launch service was attended by jail governors, chaplains, serving prisoners, ex-prisoners, household representatives and employees from the Household Exterior charity.

Take heed to God’s voice

Prisoners’ Week Belief patron Barbara Dickson OBE and Scottish Jail Service chief govt Theresa Medhurst had been additionally there.

Mrs Medhurst mentioned: “Prisoners’ Week performs an essential position by reminding individuals in our care that they aren’t forgotten and that there are individuals on the market to take heed to them, to make their voices heard.

“Prisoners’ Week additionally reminds us of all of the individuals who have been harmed or concerned in caring for individuals who have dedicated crime – victims of crime, households of imprisoned individuals, jail employees and third sector organizations together with midwives.

“It challenges every of us to listen to God’s voice, to talk for the marginalized, for individuals who haven’t got a voice.

“This may be difficult within the face of a ‘lock them up, get robust on crime’ populist narrative.

“Elevating consciousness is Prisoners’ Week by way of selling the Prisoners’ Week constitution, talking to highschool teams and a nationwide webinar on Wednesday (at the moment) linked to the trendy research curriculum on justice.”

Church of Scotland Minister Rev Douglas Creighton supplies an perception into his position as Facilitating Chaplain at HM Jail Perth.

Crossreach, the working title of the Church’s Social Care Council, runs a customer middle at HM Jail Perth.

Ms Dixon mentioned being separated from members of the family and mates was a punishment in itself for prisoners however “not being heard is worse”.

“Everybody must really feel related and warranted of being heard, particularly in instances of want,” he added.

“Listening to is a present and a technique of therapeutic for individuals who want a pleasant ear.

“However after all listening to God is most essential, opening ourselves to His plan which is barely doable by not listening to any distractions however taking the time to pay attention for Him in our lives.

“It appears to me that solely in silence can we hear God’s voice, solely within the stillness of our minds, can we actually hear Him and what He wants us to be and do.

“And the chances are countless in that quiet house of listening.”

Church of Scotland minister Rev Anne Stewart, a jail chaplain, mentioned it may very well be argued that when somebody is distributed to jail, their “family members are additionally sentenced”.

A Shetland girl whose son is an inmate at HM Jail Grampian in Peterhead shares her ideas on navigating distant confinement, together with emotions of panic, loss and isolation.

“Having a member of the family in jail is tough, in a manner that many individuals do not perceive,” he mentioned.

“There are such a lot of feelings to take care of – anger, resentment, unhappiness and even reduction.

“When my son went to jail I felt panic and loss and having by no means been on this state of affairs earlier than, I did not know what to do or the place to go.

“The whole lot felt alien and scary and so far-off issues are extra sophisticated.

“I reside in Shetland and utilizing the ferry can take three days to make a one-hour journey and price tons of of kilos in journey or lodges.

“The end result was I could not see my son the best way different households on the mainland might see their family members.

“It was so onerous for me and my son, as a result of I used to be his solely customer.”

The lady mentioned she had obtained a variety of help from households outdoors – a charity Ms Stewart described as “wonderful”.

“The employees at Grampian Jail’s Household Hub have gone out of their manner to assist, and it means lots, however I’d in all probability wish to see a delegated help employee for households on the island who understands the difficulties they face,” added the lady.

“This can assist scale back the stress of coping with these points.”