Alpha for Prisons sent a team of six to lead a three-day mission at the prison on the Channel Island of Guernsey in January.

The team included several ex-offenders including former drugs smuggler Michael Emmett, who became a Christian while in Exeter Prison after a visit from an Alpha for Prisons team led by Emmy Wilson, who was also leading the Guernsey mission.

Michael, a South London boy, was arrested in 1993 by Customs and Excise officers at Bideford Quay.

He was part of a group who were caught smuggling £13m worth of cannabis into the country.

His father was a career criminal who was deeply involved in the smuggling world.

After he finished school, Michael became an apprentice to his father and began drinking and taking drugs.

It was when Michael was sentanced to 12 years in HM Prison Exeter that he shouted out to God, ‘Please God, help me.’

After a visit from an Alpha for Prisons team Michael reached a turning point in his life.

He told local press, ‘I wasn’t looking for it, but from that day I knew Jesus was real.’

Michael has now been out of prison for nine years. He said, ‘When I was a sentanced criminal and put in a jail cell, there was no one there to say “well done” and give me a gold watch. Now I’m involved with the living, healing spirit of God.’

Also on the team was Gram Seed, the Middlesbrough man who lived on a bench for three years before becoming a Christian on a local Alpha course.

Gram was also frequently in and out of prison and involved in football hooliganism and stealing.

Gram told the BBC, ‘I was a conman. The worst thing I ever did was con my friends.

‘I was just a thief. I was drinking 28 pints of White Lightning a day. i used to go to football matches and fight.

‘Life got worse when I started hitting hard drugs. I was living a desperate life really.’

Gram fell into a coma in 1996 through a mixture of drugs and alcohol. When he woke up after six days, he knew something was different.

Gram told the BBC, ‘I knew I didn’t want to drink. i knew I didn’t want to smoke. I knew I didn’t want to take drugs anymore. I don’t know why but I just knew I didn’t want to.’

Gram then became a Christian on an Alpha course and his life was changed forever.

He told the local press, ‘In the ten years since I’ve turned my back on a life of crime I’ve devoted my life to persuading criminals that they can make other lifestyle choices.

‘My life was full of people telling me I would never make it and that I was a scumbag. I suppose people dismiss you if you’ve been inside.’

Gram told the local press, ‘I believe evangelism is about building friendships and trust. It’s about actions. I’m not the type to say that, unless you’ve found Jesus, there’s no hope - we aim to help people get to the root of their problems and deal with them with a view to changing their life for the better.’

The Alpha for Prisons team’s visit was organised by prison Chaplain, Billy Gilvear, who became a Christian after coming close to suicide while addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Billy told the Guernsey Press, ‘I think personal stories are much more effective than just preaching a sermon. People can question the theology, but they can’t discreadit the visual transformation or the story that’s taken place. Stroies like Gram’s are full of hope and are proof that no matter how bad the situation, it can be turned around.

‘Even if meeting Gram can help just one or two people and put them back on the right path, it’s good for the prison and it’s good for the island.’

Other former offenders on the team included John Finlinson who served several sentances for grievous bodily harm, aggrevated burglary and drug dealing.
The 30 prisoners who took part in the mission were invited on to a prison Alpha course at the end - and many accepted the invitation.

At the end, the prison authorities allowed a group photograph to be taken of everybody involved, along with other pictures.

Emmy Wilson said, ‘Many people made commitments to Christ for the first time. The uncertain faces turned into smiling faces by the end.’