Faith - Lesley Pearse [0]
FAITH
By the Same Author
Georgia
Tara
Charity
Ellie
Camellia
Rosie
Charlie
Never Look Back
Trust Me
Father Unknown
Till We Meet Again
Remember Me
Secrets
A Lesser Evil
Hope
Faith
LESLEY PEARSE
PENGUIN BOOKS
PENGUIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group
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First published by Michael Joseph 2007
Published in Penguin Books 2008
1
Copyright © Lesley Pearse, 2007
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject
to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent,
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978-0-14-191027-7
To David Stoyle for his outstanding generosity in bidding in an auction of promises to be a character in Faith. I hope, David, that you enjoy being immortalized and that your new role as lawyer/super sleuth amuses you, Julia and your children. If I didn’t make you as ravishingly handsome or brilliant as you’d have liked, I apologize, but the fictional David couldn’t upstage super-hero Stuart. He had to be a thoroughly nice guy and a good sport, as you really are.
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to Alan Hamilton at Cornton Vale prison in Stirling for giving me his time and expert knowledge about how it is for women in prison.
His work at the time of my visit was mainly focused on young offenders in countering their behaviour by challenging attitudes and conduct, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance their learning and awareness of current affairs. Part of Alan’s role was in Restorative Practices, new work which in 2006 earned Cornton Vale prison the Butler Award. This, as I understand it, is to help offenders understand the short-term and long-term effects that their offences and behaviour have had on the people harmed by them. They do not just look at the victim alone, but the families of victims and offenders, witnesses, friends and peers. While this scheme is voluntary for the offenders, most do take part, and it is a worthwhile way of making amends or restoring the harm done, and an addition to their punishment.
Many of my previously held ideas about women’s prisons were challenged by my visit to Cornton Vale. Aside from Alan Hamilton, whose deep commitment to the women in his care was very obvious. I was also impressed by the compassion and enthusiasm of all the staff I met there. I was left with the feeling that a good proportion of the young offenders were being given the help they need to ensure they do not re-offend.
I’d also like to thank all those good people, too numerous to name individually, in Anstruther, Cellardyke, Crail and Edinburgh, who helped and inspired me during my stay in Scotland while I was researching the background for Faith.
And finally a huge and very special thank you to Gordon Erasmuson, without whom I would never have even got the idea for the book, let alone written