Court and Prison Services
A helpful friend on the inside
From David Birnie to Alan Bond, most WA prisoners over the past two decades have come into contact with Major Bruce Foynes
Sometimes it could be just a smile on a walk around the grounds. In other cases, The Salvation Army stalwart has struck up friendships with inmates that have lasted 10 years or more, from their first night in custody to beyond their release.
His matter-of-fact philosophy helps. As a pastoral care officer, Major Foynes believes it is not his job to judge or lecture the inmates. They were already being punished, he reasoned, so all he could do was make their lives a little easier.
He estimates he has written more than 1500 submissions on behalf of prisoners in relation to sentences, bids for parole or to pave the way to the Salvation Army’s substance abuse rehabilitation program.
‘Sometimes, more often than not, you can’t do much for the person but you can be a friend to them and, if you can do that, you have achieved something,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you can achieve a little bit more.’
Asked about some of the inmates he has known, the Major struggled to come up with anecdotes but remembered meeting a veritable line-up of the famous and infamous who have spent time behind bars.
He recalled serial killer David Birnie becoming a facilitator in a program that promised to teach inmates alternative to violence. He also remembered Andrew Mallard as unshakable in maintaining his innocence during the 12 years he spent in jail for a wrongful murder conviction. ‘He found the going tough,’ Major Foynes said. ‘There were times he was quite bitter, understandably so.’
Major Foynes had little to do with Mr. Bond, except for meeting him in passing at Karnet prison farm, but noted wryly that he seemed to have done all right for himself since.
Prisoners at the minimum security Karnet recently donated $738 to the Salvos’ Red Shield appeal. The effort is part of a prisoner-led fundraising drive that has raised $4310 for charities in the past 18 months—no mean feat with inmates earning a maximum of $50 a week.
Karnet superintendent Deans McClue said inmates took part in a Prison Fellowship program designed to promote empathy by putting them in contact with crime victims.
Those who volunteered for the program donated part of their wages from jobs around Marnet, including work at the abattoir, dairy and orchard.
Story: Dawbn Gibson
Photo: Sandie Bertrand
courtesy The West Australian
