Prison Reform Trust - their latest briefing

Each season The Prison Reform Trust publish a bulletin outlining the state and statistics in British prisons. They are a registered independent charity and their mission is to work to create a just, humane and effective penal system. They do this by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing prisoners, staff and the wider public and by influencing Parliament, government and officials towards reform.

The Prison Reform Trust's main objectives are: reducing unnecessary imprisonment and promoting community solutions to crime; improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families; promoting equality and human rights in the justice system. You can read their latest news here. The independent nature of the work they do means they can dig deep into the issues and policies affecting those serving prison sentences.

You can read the winter report (Bromley Briefing) in full here, but here is a statement from the latest report which show some of the issues facing the sector and the prison population this season:…

“More than any other factor, it is the increase in sentence lengths
and time actually spent in custody which has created a prison population that already exceeds the available decent accommodation by around 8,000 spaces.“

It is a complex picture and one that will need advocacy and support from many in the criminal justice system. Wondering what you can do in your church? Well, one way you could help is by registering your church as part of The Welcome Directory - whose mission is “Helping faith communities welcome people who are leaving prison.”

Join with us as we pray (Prisons Week Prayer)…

Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day. Amen.

(photo courtesy of Matthew Ansley at Unsplash)

The Welcome Directory has a new website!

The Welcome Directory has a simple yet powerful vision: to help faith communities become places where people who leave prison find acceptance. A place to belong that not only nurtures faith but also offers appropriate practical support. 

They have just launched an exciting and informative new website which you can check out HERE.

People are at the very heart of the vital work that The Welcome Directory do! … people who have found the benefits of being part of a faith community whether inside or outside the prison gates. If nothing else, we hope that engaging with The Welcome Directory will help you to understand that in a deeper way; that those leaving prison have a name, a story as well as hopes and dreams for their lives beyond the prison gate.

You can register for the newsletter - why not sign up here? 

On the website, you can find out more about their work, watch inspiring films on Leaving Prison in Faith and register for their newsletter and much more!

(photo courtesy of Daniel Weiss at Unsplash)

Prisoners find freedom through Scripture when jail door slams behind them...

The Bible Society has shared an inspiring and thought provoking article. It tells us about a prison chaplain called Liberté who has encountered life changing transformations for prisoners when they have access to and read the Bible!

Liberté says, “Many inmates languishing in jail have hit rock bottom and feel there is nowhere else to turn.” She says that is when they are likely to open up a Bible and start reading. Read more about this inspiring work here.

Bibles, which are provided by those donating to the Bible Society, are being snapped up by prisoners almost as soon as they arrive in prison libraries! You too can be part of this campaign and give a donation so that Bibles can be offered to those in prison, giving prisoners hope and freedom through Scripture.

Find out more and make a donation HERE.

Why not pray for this prison ministry? You can be guided in prayer or even post a prayer yourself by visiting our prayer tree here.

(photo courtesy of Aaron Burden at Unsplash)

Every contact counts

At the risk of sounding like the worst sort of materialist … Christmas, New Year, Epiphany have gone and Lent is almost upon us! The writer of Ecclesiastes says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecc 3:1), but it sometimes feels as if there is never quite enough time for anything! Those of us who work in prison too find that even where one would imagine that there is plenty of time in a prison sentence to make the changes, and explore life’s challenges, that the ticking of the clock is unstoppable, and daily priorities sometimes overtake the need to prioritise addressing the big picture. As a Chaplain I find it important that indeed I make every contact count, as it is often the little things, the word spoken in season, that makes the biggest difference. In keeping an eye on the big picture, the priorities of the daily duties do seem to make more sense.

The Bible Course

Which is why I am particularly encouraged that the Bible Society are putting together a prisons specific edition of “The Bible Course” to help those residing in our prisons to step back and, over eight weeks consider the wide sweep of the Bible. In seeing the big picture presented by the Bible in its various contexts I believe that we are best able to make sense of the day to day, the current decisions, the call for the moment. Prisoners have occasionally asked me over the years to talk them through the Bible and how it all fits together. I have found that The Bible Course resource does this really well in a way that makes sense to those new to faith, well established in their faith, and I have even heard of those without faith finding it helpful in understanding what Christians believe. Therefore it is really exciting to, along with the Catholic and Anglican faith advisors to the Prison Service, be recommending “The Bible Course” as the Lent Course for Prison Chaplains to use. The course is set over 8 weeks (rather than the six of Lent) and it is suggested therefore that prisons may wish to start a couple of weeks early, or run into the weeks covering Acts, the Epistles and Revelation after Easter. The course is being made available to all prisons in England and Wales free of charge, and chaplains who wish to make the most of this should contact Chris Auckland at The Bible Society as soon as possible to register your interest (Chris.Auckland@biblesociety.org.uk ). There will soon be a dedicated page on The Bible Society website for you to access all the resources that you need.

While the writer of Ecclesiastes suggested that there is a time for everything, the apostle Paul in writing to the Colossians encourages us to go one step further and indeed make the most of every opportunity (Col 4:5). One of the great joys and challenges of Prison Chaplaincy is that every day is different. Each day has its own surprises, interesting events and tragedies. As we move past Christmas, New Year and Epiphany towards the year ahead, let us not be overwhelmed that time does not stop, but let us take up the challenge to see the biggest picture and make the most of every opportunity that God gives us to follow his call.

Bob Wilson

Secretary for Free Church Prisons Chaplaincy

Human beings have incredible value, says a prison chaplains association's recent report...

Human beings have incredible value…. that’s the title of the report from our very own Rev Bob Wilson, who is currently serving as the Vice Chair of International Prison Chaplains Association in Europe. The Committee of the European IPCA met in Norway earlier in the autumn.

Bob writes: “As we gathered together as the IPCA (Europe) steering committee in Oslo this autumn we were reminded time and again of the importance of seeing value in each other. Over the 72 hours that we were together, we visited two prisons, talked with prison staff, prisoners, prison managers, attended a lecture and discussed plans for the IPCA 2022 Quinquennial conference…. Chatting with prisoners over dinner, as they walked around the prisons, as they got on with their work, when they had sung to us in the chapel really did emphasise that valuing people, listening to people, getting to know people, seeking to understand people is truly transformative.”

You can read Bob’s full report HERE.

Date for your 2020 diary - We are encouraged by the Association to pray for this vital work on 25th August. This date in the International Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry.

PRAYER
Lord God, Blessed are you, creator of the universe. You have called us to serve you in bringing good news to the poor and liberty to those in prison. Look with kindness upon all who serve you in this ministry, grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your mission to all. Fill our hearts with zeal and perseverance as heralds of the Gospel. Amen

(photo courtesy of Chuttersnap at Unsplash)

The International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) has its roots in Scandinavia where Prison Chaplains from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have held biennial conferences since 1973. It is now a worldwide organisation across 6 global regions… In Europe… The FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and the Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair for IPCA Europe UK.