Brisbane Streetlevel prison ministry expands
Andy Steele says he is 'blessed' to be a part of the growing Streetlevel prison and post-prison ministry.
What started as a one-off visit to a Streetlevel community member for Brisbane-based businessman Andy Steele has grown into a thriving prison ministry.
I’m not professionally qualified, but I have learned on the job. The number one thing that appears to keep people from being re-incarcerated is becoming part of a positive community, and Streetlevel offers that. Then number two is suitable accommodation and number three is employment.
– Andy Steele
When successful businessman Andy Steele connected with The Salvation Army’s Brisbane Streetlevel Mission in 2011 as a volunteer, little did he realise that two years down the track he would be overseeing a thriving prison ministry.
Andy says he always wanted to help those in need with an authentic “hand up”, so when the opportunity came to visit a Streetlevel community member in prison, he knew this was his chance to do something worthwhile.
That initial prison visit in November 2013 sparked a ministry which now sees three to four Streelevel volunteers regularly visiting up to eight prisons; helping with post-prison transition, including advocacy, plus organising wider community chaplaincy training.
Andy, now a senior soldier in The Salvation Army, says: “We try to either meet people (often referred through other community members, or from within a prison) when they are about to come out of prison, and often work closely with our prison chaplains. Many walk out of prison with no extra clothes and no secure housing options. So we might help them shop for clothes; get a phone and a phone card; make sure their bank account is set up, then visit parole if needed."
While Andy says it was a “huge culture shock” walking into a prison for the first time; that shock was soon dwarfed by the discovery of the almost insurmountable challenges many ex-prisoners face.
He explains: "One day early in the outreach somebody popped in and asked if I could find suitable accommodation for a prisoner, so he could be paroled. I thought ‘Oh that’s an easy job’. However, it took me six months to find suitable accommodation. I just knocked and knocked on doors and in the end I ended up going to politicians. I could not believe how hard it was.
“After he came out, I organised a meeting with the State Attorney-General, another politician, one of our chaplains and a couple of ex-prisoners to try and explain the challenges.”
The struggles that many ex-prisoners face in Queensland, says Andy, can be overwhelming. Some of the challenges include a growing SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Registry) debt, the battle to find accommodation (in a highly competitive rental market ) without recent references, and trying to find work with a criminal record attached to your name. Andy says: “They really are almost set up to fail in so many ways, but we just say to the guys: ‘It’s not going to be easy, but the challenges are part of the journey’.”
And it can be a worthwhile journey, says Andy.
Andy explains the man he spent six months finding accommodation for, had been in and out of prison for 27 years. “My wife and I went recently celebrated the end of his parole. He’s still clean as a whistle, walking with the Lord and like many who have come through the outreach, is now really reaching out to help others. We are seeing many more saved than we are losing back to the system.
“It seems so many of them have been beaten and broken so many times and have never found anyone who trusted them; or who they could trust in the past. But if they are serious about changing and getting stable, we won't give up on them."
The growth of the Streetlevel prison ministry team has been “very organic”, Andy says, with “amazing Godly ‘coincidences’ and provision”.
He says: “I’m so blessed in this ministry. There are some amazing stories. The team and I have been privileged to witness some truly amazing transformations, and meet some truly amazing human beings!”
Note: The mission of Streelevel is to provide a safe and supportive community for people, including those who are homeless, marginalised and in crisis with practical, material emotional, relational and spiritual support.
Comments
My name is David, I was released from prison in September 2015,and was given Andy's number by a fellow prisoner called Bill, I was released with the clothes on my back, and not much else, Andy helped me out with some clojourney s and introduced me to Streetlevel, Moonyah, and G.S.A, I have managed to find a unit to live in, stay clean and crime free, all along my journey Andy has been right by my side, supporting and encouraging me, I know without his non judgemenal, loving support, I would have already returned to prison, he really is a wonderful man doing an amazing job,. Thank you Andy Steele.
God had a purpose in your life even though you may have wondered about it all God wrote your journey a long time ago. Keep up the good work.
Great story and great to hear of the work being done. Really encouraging.
great to hear...
@David Florit :
David, at last I have some news of your whereabouts. I have been praying that God look after you and protect you and it seems my prayers were answered as Andy Steel was sent to care for you. I am always here when you are ready to contact me. I love you unconditionally. Mum