Sir, - Twenty years ago an ecumenical prison ministry, Kairos, was launched in the US. It has proved the most effective means of rehabilitating prisoners known. Those who experience it have proved to be from a third to two-thirds less likely to return to prison (repeat rates at Mountjoy at present are around 75 per cent). A sister organisation in Brazil is reported to have had even greater success. A mixture of these organisations has revolutionised a tough prison at the Verne in England since it was introduced in April 1997. Violence, assaults on officers and drugs no longer feature in the notorious D block which had formerly earned the nickname Beirut, because it was so violent. This exciting change was documented by John Lonergan, governor of Mountjoy, and an RTE team for a Would You Believe? programme.
Many men and women from both sides of the Border have already gained valuable experience of this work in English jails and the time is ripe to give a formal structure to Kairos in Ireland. To this end a meeting is planned for Dundalk at 2 p.m. next Saturday, March 13th.
Unfortunately, apart from an officer of the Salvation Army, all the volunteers are Catholic. Kairos derives much of its strength from being seen as composed of many denominations, all of whom have a high regard for each other. "See how these Christians love one another!" We urgently need support from the start from other Christians.
Kairos is completely voluntary. Its lay teams run weekends where the motto is "Love, love, listen, listen". They reach out to the prisoners by revealing their own vulnerability and by offering them an opportunity to grow in self-respect. The teams are adamant that they do not try to convert anyone to Christianity. The process involves no doctrine, no proselytising, nor is there any trace of born-again, revival or "charismatic" approaches. Nevertheless, the team do use carefully prepared activities and teachings designed towards a personal commitment to Christ. But the personal freedom of the prisoner is scrupulously respected.
Some may baulk at this Christian slant. I am somewhat nervous myself, but I have been through the mill at Highpoint Prison near Cambridge and it works wonderfully. I worked with a fantastic group which included Anglicans, Methodists, Salvation Army and Catholics. The latter included two ex-IRA prisoners. I count them all among my best friends now.
Anyone interested may contact me at Dublin 280-8322 or John Harper at Belfast 604623. - Is mise, Miceal Ross,
Brighton Terrace, Monkstown, Co Dublin.