UK Restorative Justice, Muslim Style
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The course has proved a massive success and is being applied in other
prisons.
CAIRO -- With many inmates at the British Mount prison in Hertfordshire
uncomfortable with the Bible-based justice awareness course, Muslim
chaplain Mohamed El-Sharkawy developed a program appropriate to people
of all faiths.
"I studied the three major faiths," El-Sharkaw told the Guardian in an
interview published on Wednesday, March 5.
He produced a new program to encourage the nearly 750 inmates, almost
half of them non-Christians, face up to their actions.
"I started to develop a course to help them, using the story of
Joseph, because it was mentioned in the Torah, the Bible and the
Qur'an."
Focusing on the story of Joseph, the course covers issues such as
imprisonment, release, forgiveness of family and reconciliation.
It also involves going out with offenders to visit victims' families
to effect reconciliation and closure.
"Joseph uses his time in prison, and when he leaves he applies for the
highest position," said El-Sharkaw.
"He did not bow his head because he was a prisoner."
Prophet Joseph was sold to a very rich man following a ploy by his
eleven jealous half-brothers.
The man's wife tried to tempt the very handsome and strong Joseph into
an affair but he vehemently resisted her, saying he prefers prison to
adultery.
She convinced her husband that Joseph tried to seduce her and he was
accordingly put into prison even though he had not done anything
wrong.
Days proved him innocent and the Pharaoh of Egypt made him the
treasurer and inspector of Egypt's storage chambers thanks to his
honesty and wisdom.
He eventually forgave his brothers and they were all united again.
Example
El-Sharkawy has developed the course in his own time, using his own
money for materials, and accrediting the course through the Open
College Network.
His approach showed tremendous impact on many inmates.
"I am full of emotion and regret for what I have done," said one.
"I am in agony with myself, and I am lonely being here without my
kids."
Pervez, another inmate, says the course has helped him realize his
mistake.
"What is most important is how the course is delivered.
"The sincerity of Mohamed, the way he helps conciliate with victims,
has been brilliant for me."
El-Sharkaw also helps inmates reconcile with their families so they
can make a fresh start after jail.
"It was a very emotional situation," he remembers bringing Pervez
together with his family after ten years of no-contact.
"They never expected this would happen, and I had a lot of cards and
messages afterwards, saying thank you."
The prison officials are also impressed by the results.
"It is an important and very popular course, and now features in many
prisoners' sentence plans," said Andrew Langley, deputy governor of
the Mount.
"There is nothing else like what we offer here, where the victim is
very much the focus of things."
The unique approach has earned imam El-Sharkawy last year's Justice
Shield award from the Home Office for his "outstanding contribution to
working with offenders."
He is presently training staff to teach it in seven other prisons.
"We are here; there's nothing we can do to change it," says Ali, a
course graduate.
"But to try to get a better future for our children and other
community members, that's what we should focus on."
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