issue 162 - Prison Fellowship Australia

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF
PRISON FELLOWSHIP NSW/ACT
Unbound
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
Because he has anointed me to
preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim release to the captives,
Recovering of sight to the blind,
To deliver those who are crushed,
And to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
LUKE 4:18,19
S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 - I S S U E 1 6 2
The theme for this year’s Art from Inside
Exhibition was “Living Hope” and it was
interesting to see how many art works
from inmates carried a family theme.
“My daughter is my hope for redemption.”
“My wife’s support even though I feel I’ve
let her down.”
“The expression on my face is one of a new
living hope for me and my family.”
“Living Hope is the bond of a Love between
a Father and a Son.”
“Being supported by my family has given
me wings. I can fly on the wind of freedom
and survival instead of being earth bound.
My children have given me living hope.”
Research indicates that where an inmate
has a strong family connection and that
connection is maintained, while they are
in prison, they are much less likely to reoffend
upon release.
This issue of Unbound focusses on the
families of inmates and how we can
help keep families connected through
the difficulties faced with a loved one in
prison.
Richard Feeney (Executive Director)
“As he faces the closed doors the only image that is going through his mind is that of his wife
and child. The light coming through the closed doors represents the hope of freedom that may
be on the other side. The closed doors also represent a barrier between his wife and child and
freedom.” - Art work and comments from inmate in Goulburn Correctional Centre.

GOING
THE LONG
DISTANCE
Families keeping contact with an imprisoned family member often face great hardship as we experienced once when we travelled
on the bus to Junee some years ago. We were seeking to understand the experience of visiting family in a country gaol. We soon
discovered how difficult it could be for families living some distance from their loved ones.
We commenced our trip @ 6AM along with about 15 other travellers, some were elderly parents ,taking the necessarily long trip due to
the bus stopping at various other gaols along the way. There were Mums with several small children, Mums with teenagers who really
didn’t find it ‘cool’ to be travelling on a community bus, a young Mum with a new born, solo partners and us - community visitors.
Apart from the long journey, there was the embarrassment some felt at not having funds to buy refreshments at the stops along the
way and on the way home. One lady admitting she had no funds for an evening meal
as she had left money for her incarcerated partner. Financial hardship is the norm
for partners of offenders; they will go without so their partner can have some small
amount for their ‘inside’ buy-ups.
There was an air of anticipation and excitement on the trip to the centre - family
reunions, news to share, partners and children being re-united, if only for a short visit
of just one and a half hours.
One young Mum touched our hearts; she was travelling to show her new baby to her partner for the first time. There would be much
excitement as they shared their newborn together as a family, we
became excited too.
“Pray for families and the heartache
they sometimes face, pray
for offenders and their heartache
when visits are denied.”
“family reunions, news
to share, partners and
children being re-united...”
Sadly that excitement was short lived, as the Mum excitedly hurried
to complete her security details to enter for her visit she was told
the visit had been denied. She wouldn’t be seeing her partner, he
wouldn’t be meeting his newborn son, and they wouldn’t be sharing
their joy as new parents today – a seven hour journey to be turned
away.
The journey home that day was immensely sad; the hurt for that young Mum was so
tangible. She alighted from that bus at 11PM, walking off home into the darkness
with her little son, no one to greet her as she left the bus, and presumably no funds
for a safe trip home in a taxi.
Pray for families and the heartache they sometimes face, pray for offenders and their
heartache when visits are denied. Pray for chaplains, welfare workers, case managers
and Prison Fellowship volunteers as we work alongside these families
Glenys and Margaret @ Windsor
May we be mindful of the sacrifices some families endure, and more importantly may
we be ready to help in practical ways when we meet these families doing it tough.

I was touched too
when he kept saying
“Oh thank you!”
Good Morning Mark & Angels.
Yesterday I spread the word with inmates
that today was the last day for Angel Tree
applications.
I had a young man, newly sentenced for a
long time, take both my hands in his and shed
tears when I explained to him the generosity
of Angel Tree.
I was touched too when he kept saying “Oh
thank you!”
Blessings
- From Prison Chaplain
“My words can’t express just how grateful I am
to Angel Tree for these gifts for my children.
Thanks to all the staff and volunteers behind
Angel Tree.
Thank you.
A big thank you!”
- Shaine, Angel Tree father, incarcerated.
ANGEL TREE 2012
919 Applications from inmates
2006 Children
86 Sponsors
“It starts with a gift YOU”
The Angel Tree program provides gifts for
children with a mum or dad in prison at
Christmas time. The inmate gives a gift
suggestion for their children and a sponsor
purchase s and delivers the gift on behalf of
their mum or dad.
Camp Toukley
16-19 April 2013
Camp WerX is an annual camp run by
trained Prison Fellowship volunteers for
children with a mum or dad in prison.
Every year volunteers take time off work
to make this one of the best week’s of the
year for the children.
This year we will be putting on a special
morning tea/lunch for their carers who
are often single mums and grandparents.
We require
75 x $325
sponsorships.
Can you help
Three ways you
can help keep
families connected
1. Prayer
For the families of inmates to receive
support from their communities.
That the separation of inmates from
their loved ones will not damage their
relationships.
2. Purchase an Art
from Inside Coffee
Table Book
For $50 (plus
postage) you will
receive a copy of
the Jubilee Art
from Inside Coffee
Table Book and
also provide a free
copy to an inmate
or the family of an
inmate.
Also a great gift for
Christmas.
3. Donation
$325 Camp WerX sponsorship
$30 per month sponsorship for one child
for an Angel Tree gift and a Camp WerX
registration.
Make a one off special donation or become
a regular donor partner.
Contact our office if you wish to arrange a
bequest to Prison Fellowship.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Use the RESPONSE FORM provided to
make your donation or to purchase the Art
from Inside coffee table book.
Thank you for your generosity.

Unbound
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF
PRISON FELLOWSHIP NEW SOUTH WALES
MRRC VIV Project
Prison Fellowship’s Richard Feeney signing and
MRRC General Manager signing the agreement
in August 2012
Did you know that the Metropolitan
Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC)
at Silverwater has over 8000 visitors each
month
For many, it is their first visit to a prison
and can you imagine how daunting this
could be
Prison Fellowship in partnership with
Corrective Services NSW has begun a six
month pilot project at MRRC by providing
“Visitor Information Volunteers” to help
make the visit much less stressful.
Letter from a
family member
Dear friends at Prison Fellowship
We would like to thank you for your prayers
for our brother-in-law who is serving
sentence at Cooma Prison.
We requested prayer earlier this year for
him to be transferred to a local prison
(Silverwater) and our prayers were
answered today. Praise God!
The family (my sister in law) was travelling
four hours just to see him and it was
playing a huge toll upon her and the family
and costing her a fortune in petrol. The
children, too, were distraught unable to see
their father often.
Praise God in two weeks he gets transferred
to Silverwater and will be able to spend
Christmas with the family.
We praise God for answered prayer and his
good timing!
We would also like to thank, Mark, for
arranging for the Angel Tree gifts for the
children.
Thanks
In Jesus precious Name
From a loving family member
Prison Fellowship
Info Sessions
Prison Fellowship Information Sessions
are held throughout the year in Sydney
and in regional NSW and ACT.
These sessions are designed to provide
you with a better understanding of prison
ministry and are a prerequisite for anyone
wanting to become a Prison Fellowship
Volunteer.
Sessions are conducted by experienced
trainers and you will also hear from
someone who has had a first hand prison
experience.
“A productive day with energy and
enthusiasm of presenters very contagious.
Many thanks. AJ”
Damon Dreeves, with ten years experience as a
TAFE teacher with Corrective Services, sharing at
one of our information sessions.
Above photos show VIV’s in training
Peter was therefore
kept in prison, but
constant prayer was
offered to God for
him by the church.
Acts 12:5
Upcoming
Information Session
Saturday 23 Feb 2013
9am-1pm
3 Junia Avenue
Toongabbie
Contact our office to
make a booking.
PO Box 525 TOONGABBIE NSW 2146
Brigade House, 3 Junia Ave TOONGABBIE
Ph 02 9896 1255 Fax 02 9896 1244
nsw.office@prisonfellowship.org.au
www.prisonfellowship.org.au/nsw
OUR MISSION IS:
To exhort and serve the Body of Christ in prisons and in
the community in its ministry to inmates, ex-inmates,
victims and their families; and in its advancement of
biblical standards of justice in the criminal justice system.