Lindholme Prison is a category C institution holding around 650 inmates, many of whom are approaching the end of a life sentence. Marshgate Prison in Doncaster holds 1100 Category A prisoners, many on remand. Neither location might be the sort of place commonly associated with the pursuit of religion. But both institutions provide spiritual support for the men incarcerated there, whatever their faith, if indeed they have religious beliefs. Within 24 hours of reception in prison, each prisoner will be visited by a chaplain. But as HMP Lindholme's Chaplain Julian McCready explains, their role extends far beyond their statutory duty. "I like them to come because I'm interested not necessarily in their faith, but in their humanity "I'm not looking for conversions, I'm not looking to proselytise, but I'm looking to support whoever comes through the door." Filling the void The prisoners who do choose to walk through the door, do so for many reasons and can find many routes to spirituality. At Lindholme alone there are a team of 15 chaplains ranging from Roman Catholic to Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist. "It can be an extremely negative environment," said Dave, a prisoner at Lindholme. For him the Christian faith offers a way to deal with feelings of worthlessness. At Marshgate, Mark tells a story of going off the rails as a teenager in an area of high unemployment. The faith he found at the age of nineteen - already serving his third sentence - marks a more analytical and focussed stage of his life. "This time I decided that enough is enough, time to grow up and make a real stand," he said "I'm hoping to have a good career in the ministry somewhere." For others worship offers a way to cope with the immediate reality of incarceration. "Only a few weeks ago I was at my wits' end, I didn't think God was with me. And I shouted 'God where are you?' and I prayed," said Marshgate prisoner Terry. He finds God through music and since exploring his spirituality he has started to write poetry. Do the 'bad' really believe? Catholic Chaplain Father Bernard is philosophical about suggestions that prisoners may attend religious services to 'earn brownie points'. He feels he is working among some very real, honest people. "That must sound strage for a prison," said Father Bernard "but I find that prisoners will be very open and honest with you. If they don't like you they will say so." Muslim Chaplain Mohammed Athar does not see any conflict between his faith and ministering to criminals. "As long as the person has learnt from his mistakes, I think we're on the right lines."
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