Not everyone who goes through the Restorative Justice process "gets it". One man I knew was released in 2019 and back in prison within weeks after raping two more women. Another managed to stay out for several months before he too had his parole revoked and was back inside. Even those who want to change and do understand many of the principles they're taught find that life outside is too full of challenges and temptations. Old "friends" want to pull them back into a life of crime, family pressures build up and, with apparently few options available, even the best intentioned can fall. What seems to make the biggest difference between success and failure is a humble attitude and sincere faith in Jesus.
One man who was part of the very first Restorative Justice course I was involved with is a great example of this. Edward had been imprisoned for over twenty years when he was released in the middle of 2019 with no family support and nowhere to go but with a deep Christian faith and a clear understanding of the principles of Restorative Justice. He walked miles around Cape Town and beyond looking for a job with no success but filled in his time by volunteering in the church and community. He tried to restore relationships with his children and make sincere apologies to his victims, all the time trusting in God to provide for his needs and praying that he would be given the chance to help young men avoid making the mistakes he had.
It's hard to find a job in South Africa in the best of circumstances, even harder if you're an ex-offender. Often there'd be no money for rent or even food on the table.
Just as he'd been told he'd have to move out of the house he was staying in an opening occurred in a home for young men 18-24 who'd otherwise be homeless. They needed a caretaker, couldn't pay any wages but would provide food and board. It was an answer to prayer.
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| Beth Uriel House |
Beth Uriel house (www.bethuriel.co.za) in Cape Town provides a home for young men who'd likely be on the streets and vulnerable to crime without it. They're given a family and opportunities for training and education. Of the few young men I spoke to two were training to be electricians, one a web-designer, another (rather optimistically in the time of covid) is studying tourism and others had completed barista training and were staffing the onsite coffee shop. The house is run on Christian principles and has a secure and happy atmosphere. Local supermarkets donate excess food and what's not eaten by the men each day is taken to the homeless who live under a nearby bridge. Edward's prayers had been answered.
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| Edward's house |
He lives in his own small shed on the premises (22 young men make the main house rather noisy at times) and is uncle/father figure. The input he can have into young lives is invaluable - he's been there, made mistakes, done wrong and has come to realise what really matters in life. So many of the men who end up in crime and prison have no responsible man in their lives, no one to show them how to grow into a strong, humble and godly man themselves, no active father figure. They appreciate Edward, not just for his reportedly excellent cooking, but also for the love and wisdom he shares with them.
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| At the coffee shop |
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| David the barista with one of his creations |
