Another title to grab your attention, I’m getting good at this. But seriously, this post is all about the importance of service. On the 1st of September, I got a random message from my mentor asking me to join his program to mentor prisoners in one of the UK’s toughest prisons. I immediately said yes, but I had no idea what I was in store for me. On the 5th of October 2019, we made the trip there, the plan was to play a game of football, have lunch and then fellowship with the guys. We made our way through the security checks, we walked through gate after gate the place was quiet and smelt of disinfectant we were taken to the changing room to get ready. As we were walking to the football pitch you could hear people chanting from their cells, they were repping for the home side. The moment we got onto the pitch you just saw a bunch of brothers just happy, no screw faces, no egos just brothers happy!
If I were to focus on what they’ve been accused of, I would have been scared to approach them, but when you focus on the person standing before you, it’s easy to show love. What I didn’t know at the time was that on Saturdays prisoners are locked up for 23 hours, and the prisoners had to behave for three months to take part in this game. This was a humbling reminder of the things we take for granted on a day to day basis.
I’d love to say we beat them, but boy, they had a different level of fitness, they were ‘prison fit’. These guys were fast, strong, and could ball. During half time, I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of the guys and one mentioned that he had read over 100 books this year. Another shared with me how his life had changed since my mentor’s first visit. Most of the guys I spoke to are more dedicated to self-development and personal growth than a lot of people I know outside. I couldn’t help but think; if they had grown up in different environments, where would they be now? The game finished and my team was humbled, secretly I’d like to think we let them win.
Prior to us going in there were concerns that a fight could break out, we were advised we were putting ourselves at risk. I had friends telling me not to go. But at no point did I feel threatened or in any sort of danger. I’m proud to say that the match was a total success. Through a simple exchange, I was able to see a different side to them, I saw good men that got caught up in a temporary madness and coming from a similar environment to many of them, I know firsthand how easily that can happen.
We took pictures, then got changed to meet the inmates for lunch. On the way to the prison, I considered getting KFC because I really wasn’t down to eat “prison food” but the lunch exceeded my expectations. It was delicious, the meal was prepared by fellow insiders serving life sentences, but the curry was better than I’ve had in certain restaurants. Their dedication to excellence even extended to how they gave us food. There was no segregation, you couldn’t tell the inmates from the visitors, the energy was surreal. I then got up to throw my rubbish away and from the corner of my eye I saw someone I recognised, initially I was like “Nah, it can’t be”. But then we locked eyes, it was my best friend’s cousin. I didn’t know what to say at first, then decided to act as I normally would, updated him about life outside, let him know his cousin is doing well and he let me know how things were inside. He said that events like this never happen, so it meant a lot to them.
After lunch we all we went into this large hall for the final part of the day’s activities. We had a special performance from George the Poet. The poem was powerful, one that lifted the spirit of all the inmates. We celebrated the successes of the inmates and gave out awards. They let us know how much they appreciated us spending time with them. I left that prison feeling so fulfilled. It’s amazing to see the growth in people, and over time I hope we can see more changes.
The football match was just the start, the next stage is to begin mentoring some of the inmates, each of us will be assigned two inmates for the foreseeable future. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I could make this type of commitment, but after the experience I had I feel it’s my duty. We all have the power to do more and should. I have friends it prison I need to do more for, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t support my community too. We have to mentor these young people on the brink of going to jail, and for the brothers in jail, we need to support them to make sure they are mentally prepared for when they come out and can still have a future. We have to be the change we wish to see.