Armed robber continues
Earlier I introduced you to Adam [and then promptly digressed] – I am returning to him as I learnt a lot from our relationship. So much so that 10 years and 12,000 miles later we are still in contact.
In prison ministry I was often asked if I was being paid to do what I did in prison. As I grew in my understanding I learnt that generally speaking they were suspicious of professional psychiatrists and counsellors. Their way of finding out if I was a real person I suppose. My answer was that. I was paid to be a youth worker but I chose to go to their prison – I didn’t have to [and neither did I earn any extra]. That answer seemed to satisfy them.
Adam committed his offence at 14 years old – there aren’t many armed robbers at that age so he was a bit of a celebrity and many professional people wanted to understand what motivated him and why he committed his crime. Adam, like many young people his age, resented their probing questions and fascination with him – so he played the game.
He answered their questions in the way he believed they wanted them to be answered [plus he added just a little extra spice as he went along]. He would almost giggle when he recounted the tales of his ‘sessions’ in his previous placement. [Technically Adam wasn't old enough at 14 to be put into prison so he was housed in a secure unit].
Why did you do it Adam? they asked. Power was his usual reply; control; provoking fear – he told them he was motivated by those things.
What I find amazing is that the Adam I knew wouldn’t behave that way at all. the answer was far simpler [but less dramatic] – he needed the money to buy the drugs.
Why do I tell you this? It’s all in the perception – Adam perceived [rightly or wrongly] they didn’t care about him as a person but he was just a client, a rare client at his age.
With me he saw that I cared – if we can communicate care then our youth ministry will blossom and grow.
