An ‘inside’ job
The Isle of Sheppey boasts no less than three of Her Majesty’s Prisons. Swaleside is the largest of these, the others being Elmley and Standford Hill.
Swaleside Prison
Swaleside is a Category B Training Prison and has room for 775 prisoners, more than half of them serving life sentences.
Largely due to the influence of Prison Chaplain Joan West, a Salvationist, our corps has, in recent years, been invited to provide music for the prison’s carol service held in the St Augustine’s Chapel.
In the chapel
This year a group of both Band and Songsters was able to attend. Other Salvationists working with the Prison Service were also there. These were Lorna Mace (formerly of Chatham, now of Sittingbourne) who is a volunteer at Swaleside and Bev Hudson (Chatham), one of the Chaplains at Rochester prison.
Joan 
Lorna 
Bev
With Governor Stephen O’Connell
The service began with ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, the first verse being sung by one of the ‘lads’ in a Caribbean style, joined by a small choir of ‘lads’ for the second verse and everybody for the rest of the carol. Scripture was read by a prisoner (Isaiah 9:2-7). an IMB member (Matthew 1:18-25), a Chaplain (Joan)(Luke 2:1-20) and the Governor (Stephen O’Connell)(John 1:1-14). The small choir of ‘lads’ sang ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ and ‘The Angel Gabriel’. The Band and Songsters contributed more Christmas music and accompanied the carols.
The message was given by The Venerable Philip Down, Archdeacon of Maidstone, himself once a Salvationist (with Salvation Army Officer parents) who had played ’solo cornet’ in a Salvation Army band in Geelong, Australia for sixteen years before moving to the United Church and later coming to the UK. He urged all present not to forget the ‘baby’ but to acknowledge him and love him.
Archdeacon Philip Down
Approximately 120 people filled the chapel many of whom were prisoners (lads). The singing of so many men was truly amazing and the Band and Songsters count it a privilege to be part of this ministry. Normal working day timing (late afternoon arrival) made it difficult for some members to be available and, indeed, a large group is not needed. For those able to be present, however, it was well worth the effort.
The musicians
We are grateful to the Prison Service for permission to use the photographs included. Readers will understand that it is not permitted to take photos whilst the service is in progress and whilst prisoners are present in the Chapel.
The group with Governor O’Connell before receiving security clearance