Isolation has been tough for those kept from their families.
The absence of a hug, a smile, or just someone to talk to can exacerbate feelings of loneliness.
For residents in prisons, COVID-19 has meant no visits from family or loved ones, no group activities (including no Mass processions), and less opportunity to connect with others in meaningful ways.
But our prison chaplains have been there through it all, offering a welcome presence and a listening ear.
Prison chaplains offer residents the opportunity to be treated as an equal, in a world where they are treated as criminals - forgotten and downtrodden. The simple act of a handshake or being called by their first name humanises their prison experience.
With handshakes forbidden due to COVID-19, conversation has been a saving grace for residents during this difficult time.
Sr Mary, prison chaplain and Director of Catholic Prison Ministry Victoria, is one of those who has been providing meaningful conversation and a listening ear for residents during isolation, and for the last 25 years.
The following reflection from Sr Mary shares the moments she cherishes most in her mission to support residents in prisons.
“‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full,’ Jesus told us.
Leaders of CatholicCare have chosen this as their Gospel inspiration: Jesus’ mission is to be the mission of all of us in CatholicCare. To be a small part of this Gospel mission, having the opportunity of being an enabler for ‘life to the full’ for the individuals I meet in the prisons and connection to their families, when required, is a privilege for me,” says Sr Mary.
“I love the opportunity to build relationships with some of these most needy people in our society - women and men who have experienced so many losses in their often short lives - loss of dignity, loss of respect, lost opportunity of a job, loss of a home that is safe, etc.
“I love being with and working with these people. I love listening to them as they share their story. No matter how horrific their life has been it is their story - being listened to validates their story, enables them to own their story, to come to see something of the goodness within themselves and to value who he/she is as a person, and to be open to being supported in working toward the next chapter of their life story. I have experienced people visibly change as they are being listened to - even some of the toughest presenting people!
“I meet the residents wherever they are in the prisons - out in the yards, in the Chapel, walking the grounds, at their workplaces. Being a presence in the prisons, being seen by the residents as we walk around speaking with them, listening as they ponder different events in their lives is like the disciples with Jesus on the way to Emmaus. It gives people the chance to discuss their concerns and anxieties, and to have their eyes opened to new possibilities, to a different way forward for their lives. They may discover, like the disciples, that they need to turn around and take another ‘road’ on their life journey.
“Some people in prison need to be separated from others for different reasons, and so have little contact with other human beings. I visit a number of these people weekly. They tell me that they like my visits - my coming to spend some time with them. They know that I will be there and it is something for them to look forward to. I have no doubt about that, as most of them have their chair positioned near their door and are awaiting my arrival at their cell. We need to speak through a small opening in the door.
“Quite often at the end of our conversation I receive various messages. ‘How are YOU today Mary?’ ‘Thank you for coming’, ‘God Bless you Mary’, are frequent comments.
“That people, like the chaplains, keep coming into the prisons to visit them is incomprehensible to most of them. Over the years I have been stopped and asked 'Why do you keep coming in to us Mary? You’d have lots to do outside.' On a sunny day I have heard 'Mary you could be enjoying a day at the beach or a walk in a beautiful park yet you are in here.’ These are moments I seize for deeper conversations as to why I am there for them.
“They have been locked away from society and they read in the media what society thinks of them! So many believe that they are not worth anyone caring about them and are surprised that anyone does!
“Growth in respect for themselves engenders respect for others. I believe that as chaplains we have the opportunity to contribute to the rehabilitation of the residents in the prisons. We have the opportunity of modelling rehabilitative behaviours and of encouraging respectful engagement. Residents in the prisons can return to society prepared to be contributing citizens. There will then be less victims and Victoria will be a safer place for all of us.
“I pray for all people in our prisons each day and I hope that my presence there contributes in some small way towards ‘life to the full’ for these women and men.”
- Sr Mary
Read about our Prison Ministry here.
Read more 85th anniversary stories
Read more: