Articles

Hey Richard! My Dad’s in that prison

In mid-September, 23 children of prisoners aged 8-11 enjoyed a camp, organised and run by Prison Fellowship, at Anglesea situated on the Victoria coastline. The camp was financed by Prison Fellowship supporters and the 15 leaders, from a Melbourne Anglican Church, were directed by Sharon Rutherford, a member of the Prison Fellowship Vic Council of management. For three day these children had enormous amounts of fun, mixed with others who understood about having a parent in prison, undertook mental and physical challenges, experienced a new kind of relationship building, and learnt a little about Christian living. This was a first for Prison Fellowship in Victoria, and the testimony of participants shows it to have been a great success. “I like the kids on this camp heaps better than the kids at school. Everyone got on straight away.” When asked if he would go again the immediate response of one was. “Oh yeah!”

Angel Tree - Helping Prisoners' Children

Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program that is designed to reach the innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten – children of prisoners. In Victoria, more than 600 gifts will be provided in Christmas 2007.

I'm Living Proof

"You don't know me," Doug said, his knees trembling, to the shop owner. "I'm Doug, and I held up this shop ten years ago." The man looked at Doug intently and replied "I remember that, but I don't recognize you". "Can we talk somewhere?" Doug asked.

Moving Heaven and Earth

Peter came into my office, sat down, put his folder on my desk and said with an air of frustration, “Richard, I’ve been to six job interviews this week and I still haven’t got a job. No one wants me. I’m too honest, I tell them I’ve spent 15 years in prison and straight away the look in their faces tells me they are saying to themselves, ‘ No way will I employ this man, it’s too much of a risk’. It’s hopeless; I might as well go back to prison.”

Time In The Slot

As we carry out visiting from cottage to cottage, residents will sometimes mention that one of their house mates has been “slotted down the back”. At times we are asked to visit someone who is in “the slot”. We often find a friend we intended visiting on a given day is in the slot, so a process will be set in place in the hope of obtaining access during the limited time we are at Deer Park.