Prison fellowship

Tu Tangata, Issue 23, 1 April 1985, Unnumbered Page

Prison fellowship

Ressy Mararafiaano

My first introduction to the prison fellowship came in November 1981 with the visit of the founder Chuck Colson, a former advisor to the U.S. President Richard Nixon.

Chuck Colson was one of the casualties of the Watergate scandal. Colson served seven months in two federal prisons. On regaining his freedom Colson founded prison fellowship as a way to bring hope and Jesus Christ to more than 300,000 men and women confined in American state and federal institutions. He has been president of the fellowship since 1977 and has seen thousands of Americans led to be involved in various kinds of volunteer prison work in 33 different countries. Whilst in New Zealand, Chuck Colson and his wife travelled and spoke at public meetings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. At Paparua Prison, Colson shared his testimony about his time inside. As a result of his trip, the Prison Fellowship of New Zealand was formed by a group of community leaders. This fellowship

continues to grow with care communities established in Auckland, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Jim Callahan says Prison Fellowship has a vital role to play in the changes likely to take place in the New Zealand prison system. Addressing a Prison Fellowship dinner in Auckland, Mr Callahan said a steering committee was looking at a programme called ‘Through Care’, which would attempt to preserve the association between the prisoner and the community. National director of Prison Fellowship of New Zealand is Mr Jim Horton and chairman is Mr Peter Blaxall. At Paparua the fellowship meets every Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. Prison chaplins and people from different denominations participate. The fellowship is a league of nations serving God, sharing fellowship with prisoners, and this starts when the prisoner comes into prison and continues on the prisoner’s release. It’s aimed at integrating the prisoner back into the community.