I don’t judge the prisoners I work with. There but for the grace of God go I

Working as a prison chaplain is sometimes funny, sometimes sad and often challenging. But it has taught Rev Hilary Edgerton more about grace than she ever thought possible 

The random conversations that take place in our prison are sometimes humorous, sometimes irritating, sometimes banal, sometimes moving and sometimes odd. Sometimes, they are all of the above. 

Often, as chaplains, we get requests that are nothing to do with us. If one department hasn’t given a prisoner what they want, they try the chaplain, because we’re supposed to “be nice”’ and help people. 

The whole of life is here in this prison. From the art group, which is therapy to men who never thought they had a talent, to the shop-fitting workshop and horticulture teams, there are efforts to help men grow used to the idea of work. It’s a tough challenge. Some can be manipulative, conniving, aggressive, unpleasant and impatient. At times, so can I.