Arthur Wilson, a Pakistani Christian, has been counselling prisoners in Pakistan’s overcrowded jails for 25 years. He helps both Muslim and Christian offenders, including those on death row. Nosheen Abbas finds out how his compassionate approach cuts through the religious divide.
In a country where extremism is on the rise and religious intolerance is a common theme, Arthur Wilson ventures into inhospitable prisons to provide solace to both Christian and Muslim offenders.
A tall Pakistani-Christian living in Lahore, he speaks in calm tones about how he has dedicated 25 years of his life to helping prisoners.
Thousands languish on death row in filthy and overcrowded jails – prison rights group Reprieve says Pakistan has the largest number of people on death row in the world.
“When they know they are on death row, then some go into deep depression and lose their mind completely”
Arthur Wilson Prison counsellor
Most prisoners awaiting the death sentence are incarcerated in the jails of Punjab province, of which Lahore is the capital.
“Whenever I go to the jail it upsets me to see the dehumanisation of prisoners, the bad staff behaviour, their living conditions are deplorable. There are so many people who are put in jail wrongly,” Mr Wilson says.
It is not a place for justice, he says, but a place where he can bring some hope and humanity. He has set up counselling sessions – a practice not common in Pakistan – for prisoners who want to make something of their lives.
“When the authorities allowed the counselling sessions, I remember initially facing a tough time. There were times when I was made to stand outside the jail for two hours before a senior officer would show up and allow me in.”
Mr Wilson’s most fulfilling work is with prisoners on death row and he says he has been able to help more than 20 prisoners come to terms with their fate.
Arthur Wilson says he believes in helping offenders make more of their lives “When they know they are on death row, then some go into deep depression and lose their mind completely, some become physically paralysed, talking abnormally knowing that they have no way out.”
And Mr Wilson says he wants to help prisoners regardless of their faith. Initially he worked only with Christian prisoners, but seven years ago he started working with non-Christians as well.
Arthur Wilson detects a “major divide” between Christian and Muslim prisoners.
“There are a few Muslim prisoners who accommodate, maintain relations and drink and eat with Christian prisoners, Otherwise the general trend is that Christian prisoners must be kept separately.”
Sultana Noon of Reprieve says segregating Christian and Muslim prisoners only occurs in blasphemy cases when there is a clear risk to those accused of blasphemy, although not all authorities separate prisoners.
But, she says: “It was amazing to see a church and mosque right next to each other in Kot Lakhpat [jail]. It shows the possibility to co-exist peacefully.”
Prisoners Arthur Wilson has helped say his therapy is not faith-based and that it is simply about thinking positively in the face of adversity.
He says he has never been accused of proselytising and he remains confident of his work despite the sensitive climate in Pakistan surrounding controversial blasphemy laws.
“I don’t feel threatened by the blasphemy law because I wouldn’t be disrespectful about another religion. However, I am afraid of those who misuse this law.”
Dr Zulfiqar is a Muslim prisoner in Islamabad currently on death row for murder and in regular touch with Mr Wilson. He has received a lot of coverage for helping his fellow prisoners get an education.
He too has found solace in Arthur Wilson’s care: “He believes in positive thinking by asking for forgiveness from the depths of one’s heart,” says Mr Zulfiqar.
“There is a lot of extremism in the country now, to be honest. ”
Arif Shahzad Prison officer, Camp Jail
Arif Shahzad, prison officer at Camp Jail, which Mr Wilson frequently visits, says his sessions have a positive impact on the prisoners.
“He comes every Sunday and although he teaches some things relevant to religion, his topics are mostly about ethics and life in general.”
Even though Mr Wilson has not barred non-Christians from attending his sessions at Camp Jail, Mr Shahzad says he does not allow non-Christians to attend because security could not be totally guaranteed.
“There is a lot of extremism in the country now, to be honest. We just don’t have the environment because non-Christians may want to question and confront someone like Wilson.”
However some slip through and sit in during his sessions, many of whom remain in touch with him.
This is clear at St Andrew’s church in Lahore, where Mr Wilson still meets up with prisoners who have been released.
Sitting with one group of former inmates, each with extraordinary personal tales, the important role Mr Wilson has played in their lives becomes clear.
Showing me a half-filled notebook, one former prisoner said: “I can’t explain to you the effect Wilson has had on my life. That’s why I’m writing a book on him.”
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