The MPSA was approached by  the Sikh Chaplaincy Service (SCS)  with a pilot project, which aimed  to reduce re-offending by Sikhs. The MPSA Executive agreed that  this was a project consistent with Sikh aims, and fully supported the work. 

Sikh teachings advise strongly against the use of drugs and alcohol. They also require Sikhs to follow the teaching of ‘kirt  karna’, that is making one’s way in life through honest effort. Despite this, most Sikhs who end up in prison do so through petty crime, drink and drug related offences. 

The Sikh Chaplaincy Service  routinely visits every Sikh in prisons and youth offenders’ institutions to give spiritual support and guidance. It is the experience of the SCS that the  vast majority of inmates from the Sikh Community are not practising Sikhs, generally ignorant of Sikh teachings on responsible living and cut off from positive links with Gurdwaras and mainstream Sikh society. 

Most Sikh prisoners learn about  Sikh teachings virtually for the first time from Sikh Prison Chaplains. This is a serious commentary on both the role of Sikh parents and that of our Gurdwaras. While the work of the SCS helps offenders to understand the importance of  moving away from ‘manmukh’ (negative living) to ‘gurmukh’  (positive and responsible living), this in itself is not enough to ensure crime free living on release. The SCS has become acutely aware that Sikhs released from prison, often without skills for productive employment, will tend to go back to negative or harmful relationships that got  them in trouble with the law in the first place. 

The SCS and the MPSA believe  that the following actions are  necessary to reduce the cycle of re-offending. 

•     Each Gurdwara should take responsibility to support and mentor Sikh prisoners on their release in the Gurdwara catchment area. This will include helping find suitable employment, and the identification of a Gursikh who will supervise and assist in the former offender’s rehabilitation into the community. 

•     The Gurdwara should encourage the former offender to engage in seva (voluntary service) in Gurdwara charitable activities in a way that helps re-establish the individual’s self-esteem. The MPSA will be working with an experienced Sikh chaplain to visit Gurdwara’s in the London area to give talks and presentations on crime within the Sikh community, and raise awareness of the need for Gurdwara support in rehabilitation of offenders and in identifying suitable Community  Support Officers. 

If any of our members are interested in assisting this joint - project, please contact the MPSA office.