Welcome Home? Starting Over After Prison
Daily Meditations for Prisoners Week 2011
Composed with a number of popular songs in mind, these meditations offer daily prayers for Prisoners Week. They are written by Revd Donald Scott, Full-time Chaplain at HMYOI Polmont.
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DAY 1
Home. It must be one of the most evocative words in the English language! It can conjure up all kinds of images from rose tinted memories of childhood safety, to more negative thoughts of broken relationships and confusion.
Our Prisoners’ Week theme asks the question; “is home welcoming to those leaving prison after a sentence?” Like our memories, the answer can be clear or confusing. To explore the issues, I’ve used some songs which look at aspects of homecoming.....a kind of desert island discs!
Tie a yellow ribbon: The old Tony Orlando classic is a story of a man, “who has done his time” and is anxious about the welcome which awaits. He suggests to his sweetheart that if she wants to forgive him and welcome him home, “she ties a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree”. If he doesn’t see the ribbon, “he’ll stay on the bus, forget about us”. Of course, there are a hundred ribbons waiting for him.
Its not always so. Families can really struggle to re-adapt to having an ex-prisoner home. There are issues around finances, changed family roles, and adjusting to life in a partnership again. None of these are made easier if the ex-prisoner is still living a chaotic lifestyle using drugs or alcohol.
Through organisations like Faith in Throughcare and Families Outside, help is there for those re-adjusting to life after prison.
Have a look at the story of the Prodigal Son. Its a great coming home story. The Father’s welcome and the older brother’s anger and cynicism mirror the kind of reactions many being released long for and fear in equal measure. Where do you stand?
Forgiving Father God, thank you that we know a welcome from you, which is open hearted, and open armed. Help us to offer a welcome to those who are nervous to look for you for fear of condemnation and rejection. Open our hearts, our minds and our arms to offer your love to those who need it most. Amen.
DAY 2
Welcome Home: There are a lot of songs called “Welcome Home”, which only goes to show how popular the theme is! The one I’m thinking of was made popular by Peters and Lee in the 70’s and made a comeback, courtesy of Gary Lineker and a certain crisp manufacturer!
Its theme is the re-union of two lovers, separated, then re-united. There is total acceptance, joy and love in the words.
They remind me of John 14, where Jesus is encouraging his confused and worried disciples.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you....You know the way to the place where I am going.”
These words often provide comfort to those who have been bereaved. I’ve also used them to encourage young men, uncertain of what the future holds, and what awaits them on the other side of the fence.
Help me to trust you God. To hear the truth in your words, and accept your unconditional love. So shall I be able to share that love with those who find trust difficult. Amen.
DAY 3
A heart needs a home: Richard and Linda Thompson’s beautiful lovesong has a typically quirky refrain, “I’m never gonna be a fool.”
It is fairly ironic, placed beside lyrics about “empty streets and empty faces, the world’s no place when you’re on your own, a heart needs a home.”
Being a fool for love is right there, at the heart of the Christian message: Paul writes to the Corinthians, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
The reality of loneliness and homelessness affects many released from prison. Eric Cramb, in his wonderful wee book, “Parables and patter”, tells the story of a guy released from Barlinnie just before Christmas, and raging to be separated from the warmth and camaraderie of his fellow prisoners, to celebrate the family feast by himself! A heart needs a home indeed!
Loving Christ, you knew the pain of separation from family, and talked about not having a place to call home. We pray for those who are homeless and estranged from family. May they know your love at the hands of the stranger. Amen.
DAY 4
A sort of homecoming: Bono’s lyrics give the sense of a soldier returning from war, haunted by what he has seen, and not entirely free from past ghosts.
These kind of experiences often lead ex-soldiers into lifestyles which in turn lead to prison. Combat Stress is one of a number of charities who help this group to return to normal life from the traumatic experiences they have had, both in service and inside.
One such young man, Chris, often came to see me in Chaplaincy. He particularly identified with the words of Psalm 23. The Shepherd’s Psalm is often seen as being a pastoral idyll, but it has also been recited a few times on battlefields, especially the bit about, “walking through the valley of death, and fearing no evil.”
Loving Shepherd, there are many who stray and need you to seek for them. We pray for those who are looking for a safe and peaceful homecoming. May they find it in your house, for ever. Amen
DAY 5
Homeward Bound: Some songs can be like snapshots. This one immediately plays in my head memories of a summer camp near Aviemore, evoking a great holiday, and the bittersweet sounds of this great track of longing.
“I wish I was, Homeward Bound”....
In that wonderful passage about faith in Hebrews 11, the author talks about longing for the far country:
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised to them...they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own...not the country they left, but a better country-a heavenly one.”
The words might speak to you of detention centres and refugee camps. But they might also be used for prisoners who try to change their lives whilst inside.
It can be easy to go straight whilst locked up and kept away from temptation. Pray for those who struggle daily to stay away from lifestyles and habits which would lead back to prison.
Faithful God, Give courage and strength to those who would change, but need encouragement and support to make it happen. Strengthen those who offer help, and build communities which offer fresh starts and new tomorrows. Amen
DAY 6
Goin’ Home: My first serious LP was Ten Years After Undead, featuring this track with its blistering guitar solo. I don’t know if Alvin Lee knew it, but the track was a version of an old gospel song, which had become secularised in the course of its history. The lyrics are not profound. They contain possibly every blues cliche in the history of rock n roll! I still find myself humming it on every journey home.
There are some clichés from prisoners too:
“When I get out...” “This time I’m going to...” “I’ve had enough of this, I’m not making jail a career.”
These are some of the jail blues riffs I hear all too often.
What can turn them from hopes and dreams to reality?
Faith in Throughcare has established “The Place” in Balmore Road as a way of helping that process. Through ex-offenders and local church volunteers, those who want to change their lives can find support and practical help.
If ex-prisoners are to find a real welcome home, then as communities we have to be involved in the business of forgiveness and fresh starts. They are ideas at the very heart of Christian faith. Can we turn them from Christian clichés to reality?
Loving God, you offer us forgiveness and a fresh start when we turn to you. Help us to believe and act on that, so that we show forgiveness to our neighbours and our enemies as you have challenged us to do. Amen.