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The Bar None Restorative Justice Ministries – Mennonite Central Committee Alberta (MCCA)

A God Moment by Moira Brownlee CoSA Program Coordinator

moirabrownlee@mccab.ca 403-829-1952

In late April, as I was driving

to work, my cell phone rang. I had my earphones on, so I took the call. It was Cathy (not her real name), a police officer from the Calgary Police Service. Cathy had been involved with the work of COSA as a police officer a number of years ago. She continues to take an interest in the program, as well as some of the guys she had worked with, including Philip (not his real name) who was a CoSA core member.

“I think I just saw Phillip,” Cathy said. He was making his way up the street in inner city Calgary and didn't look good. As soon as Cathy noticed him, she called me. She didn't have to – but she did.

We immediately went to look for him. We found him, and the three of us spent a couple of hours together. We sat in a restaurant and helped Phillip sort himself out. He was not healthy. He looked awful. However, in the course of that meeting Phillip settled down. The three of us eventually separated, but only after sharing a big, CoSA hug.

It was, as I thought later, a God moment, where the magical intervention of the Holy Spirit redirects the lives of three unlikely people ... in a moment ... and all because Cathy cared.

Reflections of a CoSA Member as told to Nicholas Pope Peace, CoSA, & Admin Intern I only knew crime. I’ve lived it over 45

years. I was full of hate because I had post traumatic stress disorder from residential schools. When I got hurt, I wanted to hurt them back. I was in and out of institutions. Me and jail had a connection. It was my home. I felt safe there.

You can take the prisoner out of prison. Getting the prison out of the prisoner – that’s the secret. CoSA really helps. It gives guys hope.

Me, I had no hope. I was incorrigible. That's on my federal prison file. But I proved them wrong. I wanted to become rehabilitated, so I took every program I could, thinking they’d rehab me. Even when they released me they said, “I'll give you a week”. Now I've been out – five years – no trouble at all.

I wanted to go back at first, but Moira pulled it out of me, which no one could ever do. See, a guy will not rehab unless he wants to rehab. You can give him all the programs you want, and he’ll just play the game to get out. But a lot want to get out, and stay out, but they don't know how.

Moira never gave up on me in the twelve years she’s known me. Even though I ticked Moira off, she stuck right beside me. You'd never believe the stuff I put her through. Moira's not a quitter.

We got to understand each other. We got to be good friends. She guided me. CoSA is a very good program. These boys coming out of prison need it. It gives them hope of a future without crime.

When you first come out of prison, you’re alone too much. You start thinking ugly thoughts. The more you think the ugly thoughts, and nobody's there, the more the tendency to do it. “Nobody loves me, nobody cares – screw it, let's do it.”

I thought no one could break me. CoSA could. It helped me.

September 2015

Memory of a Good Friend by John, M2 volunteer

I was shocked to read that my inmate friend Lyle (not his real name) had died. I met Lyle about 10 years ago through M2W2. We became friends. When he was transferred to another prison, we regularly exchanged letters and I saw him three or four times a year.

Thanks to Janet Anderson and Gord Hutchinson, I was able to attend Lyle’s memorial service. The chaplain’s message deeply moved me, as did the testimony of many inmates. I miss my friend. I’m sorry he couldn’t fulfill his dream to travel about the country telling his story in order to prevent others from being victimized as he was.

Like many other inmates, Lyle was a victim. His older brothers took him on a B and E when he was five. A brother’s friend sexually assaulted him. His father beat him. He witnessed violence in his home. He learned that to survive he had to establish a reputation as a fanatic fighter. However, Lyle had a good heart and it was not his true nature to hurt people. Shortly before I met him, Lyle decided to give up fighting because it too made him a victim.

Lyle gave his life to Christ and took steps to turn his life around, but that’s very hard to do in prison. He beat his drug habit; he beat smoking. Lyle was a good writer, despite his limited education. He had musical ability and he had a big heart for the vulnerable. In the end, the system got the better of him. I know, it’s all so complicated and there are exceptions. Lyle was one of those exceptions. You made a difference my friend, both inside and outside. I will not forget you.

The Heart of M2W2 by Gord Hutchinson M2W2 Coordinator, Drumheller gghutch6@aol.com 403-618-7255 The men in the interview room are new to M2W2. They have filled out a single sheet application requesting a volunteer visitor. They are here to meet Dave Hendricks and me. We are there to explain what this community visiting program is all about and to listen to their stories. We hope for something that would give us an idea which of our ‘sponsors’ would be a good fit for each. The atmosphere is relaxed. Like people everywhere, they quickly respond to real interest in their lives. It is obvious by the shared humour that they appreciate a place where they can talk about anything, and enjoy some company from the ‘outside’. The stories of how each came to be in prison are as varied as their backgrounds: a series of professional missteps; a drug deal gone bad; someone robbed; someone hurt. Most confess the stupidity of their ‘messing up’ with a vow of ‘never again’. We talk about food, now coming frozen from Bowden. Definitely not as good as what was once prepared in the kitchen here. We talk about parole and a future on the ‘outside’. A few have specific plans: an education and a plan to go after it. Some are vague: see their kids; get a job; stay out of trouble. All agree their old friends are their downfall. How does one start anew?

A few talk of their past, and the trouble they have seen. Real pain, traumatic events have scarred them deeply. Who knows whether the stories are true or not? What is certain is that in this room today, people are here to listen, people who value their company. That ignites the spark of life and energy that makes this occasion so lively. Good company, good friends – the heart of M2W2.

How Much It Means by Laurie Bennie M2W2 Coordinator, Bowden Program Associate, CoSA lauriebennie@mccab.ca 403-614-5951

The Bowden M2 program is in its 31st year,

and continues with monthly 2-hour visits of 30 pairs of inmates and volunteers. Our semi-annual Event this June capitalized on the later sunshine, meeting outside for Bocce, Horseshoes, or Tennis. Some just visited while walking or sitting. The ground was wet but the skies cleared just before our arrival!

The second part was held inside, where we continued as one large group and relished ice cream and fruit-cobblers. We are grateful to the Bowden staff, arranging to bring the food over, and keeping the ice cream frozen until needed. Certificates of Appreciation, listing years of M2 service, were presented to each of the volunteers by their inmate. Each inmate then spoke a few words of thanks, and the volunteer replied with how M2 has touched them.

Volunteer responses included, “Our giving is the same as our receiving. It is not me giving a service; it feels to me that I’m getting more out of it than I am giving.”

One inmate commented, “M2 provides integrity and such an important service in this institution. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your time! You’ll never fathom how much it means to us!”

(! continued) we will be able to describe the churches based on our experiences.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is in Edmonton’s inner city and is a large parish. The priest, who is not Aboriginal, has a long history of working with First Nation Peoples. The rest of the leadership is a mix of First Nations and Métis women and men, who together host four masses every weekend. The services incorporate both Catholic and traditional First Nations symbols and rituals: Christian liturgy, sweet grass, sage, and tobacco. The message on the day we attended was framed in light of 12 Step programs. It left worshippers with concrete ideas to take into their week.

The First Nations Alliance Church is in the Edmonton’s northeast and meets on Sunday afternoons. They also host several mid-week coffee times where people can drop by for soup and bannock. The congregation is smaller, which presents a fit for people looking for faster personal connections. The pastor is Cree, and the rest of the leadership was made up of First Nations and Métis men. The service is informal, and the sermon style on the week we attended was very energetic. The sermon focused on personal salvation and faith. We attended on baptism Sunday and heard the stories of six candidates.

The two congregations had a great deal in common: welcoming, casual, and a good sense of humour. They shared a Country-Western style of music, as well as other aspects of First Nations and Métis cultures.

One church was bustling and loud with a cell phone going off once or twice during the service. The sweet grass reminded us where we were. The other church’s preacher was very enthusiastic. The service felt like real community with room for joy, error, and not always knowing where they were, but always finding their way back.

Churches Focussing on Aboriginal Ministry by Janet Anderson Creating Community Coordinator, Edmonton Institution for Women jlranderson123@gmail.com 780-995-3503 and Natasha Wiebe, Volunteer

This spring, a group of volunteers from the

Edmonton Institution for Women (EIFW) attended two churches that focus on Aboriginal ministry. We wanted to understand how they minister. More importantly, when we visit EIFW, (continued !)

Lifers Saving Lives by Tom Brownlee

Editor, The Bar None brownlee1973@gmail.com 403-542-2156

On 1 May of this year, a couple received news that their newest grandchild, a girl, was being born – at 34 weeks. She needed to be admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit immediately. The only bed available was at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Within a few hours the tiny newborn was flown to Red Deer and placed in a neonatal incubator.

A couple of weeks later, I visited Bowden Institution for an event with the M2 program. I told a couple of lifers the story of the little girl going to Red Deer and being placed in a neonatal incubator. They pointed across the field to some large plastic garbage bags filled with pop bottles. They told me that the Lifers (those who had taken a life) collected those bottles and that some of the proceeds had gone to buy neonatal incubators for the Red Deer Hospital. These Lifers had saved a little girl's life.

New Faith Community Reintegration Projects

by Peter Worsley Reintegration Chaplain peterworsley@mccab.ca 403-275-6935 ext. 242

Correctional Service Canada Chaplaincy has just completed a contracting process for 21 Faith Community Reintegration Projects contracts (FCRP) across the country. These FCRP contractors will contribute to CSC’s mandate to support successful offender reintegration following their release from institutions through: • Bridge building between offenders and their

identified religious and spiritual community groups;

• Liaising with parole, justice organizations and faith communities;

• Developing faith community capacity to engage with offenders; and,

• Assisting offenders to become contributing members of society.

(continued !)

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Among other things, FCRPs facilitate and support the unique contributions of faith communities toward a holistic approach to safe and restorative reintegration practices.

Mennonite Central Committee has been awarded the FCRP contract for Calgary.

If you or your faith community would like more information or to get involved, please contact me (see above)

Reflections on the Edmonton Institution by Jim Shantz

M2W2 Coordinator, Edmonton Institution & Grierson Centre jimshantz@mccab.ca 780-886-6906

My work at the Edmonton Institution has been an eye opener!

My first and vivid impression surrounds the culture of security that is core to the prison system. The sounds of steel doors, dead bolts, and the close monitoring stand as a stark reminder of the violence that is endemic to the human condition.

Coming as a newcomer to this ministry, I have three observations: • Whether inmate or volunteer we all share a

common humanity, created in the “image of God”. While that seems a given, I no longer take it for granted as I have for years driven past the “Max” and simply saw an institution. Now I see human beings with names attached for whom I pray.

• Our retributive prison system. Given a system that often creates more public safety issues than it solves, I wonder if there is a better way. The word “restoration” seems to be key.

• Hope. While the systems of “the powers that be” are strong, Light is always shining. A prison unit leader says it’s good to have connections with “normal” people! We are a breath of fresh air – a ray of light. Jesus is present with the prisoner and it’s a privilege to share in that Presence.