Crime and Punishment

It’s not a lesson I often run but when you get a class like the one I had the other week it reminds me of why I like it so much.

On a grey Tuesday morning at Townsend I head into see a small class of 15 and introduce the topic we’re looking at and run the usual starter of strange laws that may or may not exist. Classes always find this a laugh but even from this point I started to have some good questions that wouldn’t normally get asked.

The next activity invites the students to imagine they’re a judge in a court room and they get to decide the sentence of the guilty defendant. They can choose anything they like (other than capital or corporal punishment). At this point especially when we started the discussions of what punishment they’d chosen we had some of the best questions!

I was very glad I’ve watched so many documentaries on prisons systems, parole and sentencing convicts. I was also very glad to have had a number of conversations with one of our wonderful volunteers Marion who also works with the magistrates and has previously come along to this lesson to advice on the realities of the justice system.

I had questions about life sentences, what parole is and means for convicts on parole, can you have multiple life sentences and so many more!!!

We then look at why we punish and what it means to be a victim. We explore restorative justice and how it can help both victim and perpetrator. Before looking at the story of Zacchaeus and three points the Bible teaches Christians. Everyone's done wrong (Romans 3:23), Everyone has value (John 3:16) and Everyone is responsible (Luke 19:8).

The lesson always finishes with the poignant video testimony of Shane Taylor who shares his experience of attending an Alpha course whilst in prison for attempted murder and then the stabbing of a prison officer. Whilst prison was the safest place for Shane ultimately it was only God who was able to fully turn his life around. There is always a moment of hush at the end of his testimony as the students take in everything he said.

I look forward to the next time I see these students to see what questions they come up with next.

Helena :)

(Image - David von Diemar - Unsplash)