For a number of years now we, the parish of Tatura, have welcomed the prisoners from Dhurringile Prison.
This happens in a couple of ways, one group, the community gang have come into the parish to do gardening and general clean up, particularly around the Convent of Mercy.
Another group are picked up by a driver and transported to church to attend Mass.
This is wonderful to see, the prisoners enjoy coming and partly because they feel most welcomed and accepted by the congregation.
They sit up the front in their prison ‘greens’ and sing and respond with great gusto. It is lovely to hear the parishioners commenting on their singing!
Then they chat to people after Mass.
Which is helping them to prepare, socialise and assimilate with the outside world.
Recently one prisoner attended for the last time after several years. It was great for him but sad for us. He had become so accustomed to coming that we let him choose what hymns he would like for his final day with us.
The Justice system in allowing the prisoners to come to Mass are not just giving permission to another outside program.
It gives the prisoners the opportunity to share their faith and maybe in ways they hadn’t experienced before.
It gives people the opportunity to see that prisoners need to be given a chance and treated with respect and that prison is not a place to punish. It is a place to help men who have made mistakes to be supported and rehabilitated so they can re-enter society with greater confidence and opportunities.
Fr Michael Morley
