EXCERPTS FROM A LETTER FROM JOHN ‘PARIS’ MCKENZIE
PORT PHILLIP PRISON
25 APRIL 2025
Dear Prison Fellowship,
Hello from the hospital ward here in Port Phillip Prison. I saw Paul Itter on Tuesday and, as always, it was wonderful to see him. I told him a bit of what has been going on, and he suggested I write it down and send it in…
I met Paul along with [other volunteers] at the start of my sentence back in 2015, where I saw them every week for about 3 years before I moved on to Fulham for the past 7 years. The wonderful impression of all the Prison Fellowship visitors was strengthened by staying in touch by letters, and as much as the circumstances could be better, it was great to see friendly faces upon my transfer back [here] on medical grounds recently.
As I was finishing my 10th year, and close to my 65th birthday, I started having some pain in my abdomen… Tests revealed I had numerous tumours in my liver, spleen and a spot on my lung.
I thought I was as fit and well as I have ever been… I also had a good mental attitude and was spiritually very satisfied, attending [church] services every week. I was minimum security, and having completed more than 10.5 years, I had about 3.5 years until I was eligible for release on parole. I worked as a Peer Supporter and took pride in knowing I was also able to help others who may be in some distress. Being in Fulham for so long without any incidents I earned the trust and respect from both staff and prisoners alike.
That was 1 March 2025. Since then my whole world turned upside down.
The oncologist arrives with words like ‘painful’, ‘incurable’, ‘terminal’… It is very confronting.
I was sent off for a 1.5 hour PET scan, strapped to a gurney… Alone with my thoughts, I decided I would pray to God. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer… All of a sudden I felt a warmth enter my world. A sense of peace overwhelmed me. I felt like someone was hugging me and somehow God was sharing with me, one-on-one…
I realised it was not all bad… I realised I have time… the chance to see, speak to, thank and remember all the wonderful times I share with so many others. I feel lucky to have the chance to say goodbye.
From that meeting with God – well things only seem to get better. My lawyer came and told me he would be applying for a Petition of Mercy, and low and behold the expert barrister in that field is a friend of his!
…No matter what happens… I am at peace… I pray every day (often twice) and have to give a shout out to all the wonderful pastoral care that has been shown by Prison Fellowship… Everyone has been amazing in my view. Paul said I had been blessed, and he is right – I feel so; that God gave me the time to bring me to terms with what is happening to me. To touch me personally, I feel awed and humbled.
I don’t know what the road ahead holds for me. But I embrace it in the knowledge I am not alone.
Thank you for your time.
John ‘Paris’ McKenzie
>> At 3pm on Thursday 29 May 2025, John McKenzie’s Petition of Mercy was granted, declaring his prison sentence complete. At 2am the next day, John passed away, reunited in heaven with his Lord and Saviour. He was a free man.
YOU CAN HELP REACH INMATES LIKE JOHN by supporting our Visiting in Prison programs. Your donations help volunteers share the love of God with prisoners across the country.
