A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Michael while we were both guests on the same podcast, Things Unseen, talking about the Penitent Thief. Having met him and heard just a small part of his story then, I just had to read his book to find out more.
Through his childhood, Michael wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps in the family trade – the dangerous world of organised crime. As a young adult, Michael’s criminal activities were funding a reckless lifestyle of drugs, sex and violence. However, by 1993, alongside his father, he was arrested for being involved in a £13m drug smuggling operation, ultimately receiving a 12 year sentence.
It was whilst in HMP Exeter that Michael discovered something he was not expecting. A spiritual encounter in the prison chapel led to a new direction for his life.
To say his background is colourful is an understatement. From a very young age he followed he became embroiled in a culture of drug abuse, promiscuity and violence. He was a victim though. Yes, a victim of sexual abuse that haunted him and led him down a path towards self-destruction. But also a victim of circumstances and upbringing that presented him with an outlet to further his addictions.
I get the impression that the book only covers a fraction of what happened, with some throw away lines or situations that in themselves could have been expanded into a whole chapter.
It is the second half of the book that is key here. It is not about glamourising the life of crime. It is about how a life, so broken, can be wholly changed and redeemed by finding faith, in this case whilst in a prison.
The work of prison ministries is to be honoured for the amazing work they do, in this case the prison Alpha course run by Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London. These ministries reach people who are desperate for the slightest chink of light to break into their darkness.
Michael’s repentance is genuine and heartfelt. But to change a life around so significantly does take time to fully work through all aspects of his life. He is honest in admitting that there are times when old habits were hard to break and many issues needed to be worked through many times. But then isn’t that the case with all of us? It will take a lifetime for us all.
