Becoming a Prison Chaplain
eligibility to work as a prison chaplain
If you are from a Free Churches background and wish to work as a Chaplain in a prison in England and Wales then you need to be eligible to do so. This means that you must be a minister, either lay or ordained of a Free Church denomination which is either a member of the Free Churches Group (member denominations listed here), or an “Additional Denomination” (as listed here). You will be expected to hold a formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study, normally to UK University undergraduate Diploma standard.
DOWNLOAD 'Endorsement Guidelines for Free Churches Prison Chaplains' document:
“HM Prison Service has a responsibility to provide an environment that enables employees to work with confidence whatever their gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, age or disability.”
If you are unsure as to whether or not you are eligible to work in prison chaplaincy, please contact bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk and Bob Wilson, HMPPS Free Churches faith advisor, will make some initial explorations with you.