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 programme appropriate to people of all faiths. He produced a new programme 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.
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. El-Sharkaw also helps inmates reconcile with their families so they can make a fresh start after jail.