'It's just been very rewarding': Executive director reflects on 3 decades at John Howard Society
There's still a lot of work left to be done, outgoing executive director says
The first time Cindy Murphy walked through the doors of the John Howard Society was in 1992.
At that time, she didn't have any intention of working in corrections, but a guest speaker in a university class piqued her interest about a volunteer program at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.
"I just had this feeling that this was … probably a good place for me," Murphy said. "That I could probably hope to make some kind of difference here."
And 33 years later, she's walking out the door for the last time as she retires from what she calls an amazing career.
The John Howard Society is a non-profit organization that works with people in the criminal justice system. Its goal is to reduce and prevent crime, educate, and reform through restorative justice principles.
"I just kind of knew that was my place," Murphy said, sitting in her office on Pennywell Road in St. John's.
A bouquet of flowers sits on a cabinet — a retirement gift from a client — and a homemade retirement card on her desk.
"I think the work is rewarding," Murphy said.
Murphy has spent the last couple of months reflecting on her two decades as the executive director, and as a volunteer before that. She said the time she's spent in the community, working with people in the justice system, held lessons that she will take with her.
"I think one of the biggest ones is understanding that people are more than just a criminal record, you know. So understanding that they are human beings who deserve support and understanding … that they're just not about locking people up and throwing away the key. That people are so much more than that," she said.
And it's not an easy line of work advocating for people in the system, working with the government for change and balancing public opinion about incarceration.
That, she said, has been one of the biggest challenges of her career.
She said people should be held accountable for their actions and crimes, but punishment is not just about incarceration.
"When someone is punished, they lose their freedom. That is the punishment," she said. "But it doesn't mean that we continue to punish them day in and day out by subjecting them to inhumane conditions, many of which we've seen at HMP as an example, for many, many years."
Hard, but rewarding
The headlines over the last three decades haven't always been lighthearted. Rats in HMP, overheating, overcrowding, and generally unfit living conditions for inmates have been some of the challenges that Murphy has taken on.
And over the last 33 years, a lot has changed. But, she said, there's lots of work to be done.
"I don't think there'll ever be a time when John Howard services will no longer be needed," she said.
Murphy said the society is seeing more people than ever before come through their doors, there's more women in the system than ever before, and problems like overcrowding at HMP are still present.
She said these issues have been neglected.
"If you incarcerate people, then you have to provide them a certain service and supervision and rehabilitation because that's what the Department of Justice mission statement is all about," she said.
"And so I think we have failed in many ways."
Murphy said something she regrets is not having more preventive work, which she says the society is working on.
"There's so many missed opportunities to work with young people further upstream than trying to solve the problems of criminal justice after the fact," she said.
And now, as she's closing the door on this chapter, another door is opening.
The provincial government broke ground on a new prison facility last week, a milestone Murphy has been advocating for for years.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Murphy laughed.
She said it's been a long time coming, but she's optimistic.
That will be a task for her colleague Melissa Noseworthy, who Murphy is delighted to see take the reins.
So, what will Murphy miss the most from her long and storied career? The people.
"There's no question about that," she said.
"When I think about the longevity, the people I've met, the people I've worked with, our board of directors, and of course the clients that we serve day in and day out, it's just been very rewarding."
Now, she said she's looking forward to relaxing with her family, travelling, and maybe some volunteer work.
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