A letter of support and encouragement for our prison chaplains... and us all

A letter to update and encourage prison chaplains from Revd Bob Wilson,

Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser

Revd Bob writes: “You will all have heard by now that communal worship, meditation and study in prisons are to be cancelled with immediate effect.  I can assure you that the decision was made very carefully and is, as far as I know an unprecedented one. It was made with the purpose of safety and care and is in line with what is happening in the community… …The situation does I think present us with what will be a ‘new normal’ for some time and our wisdom as to how we continue to be church and to serve one another safely and with confidence will truly be a challenge to us in the days to come. But we do continue to rely on our Lord who is the source and provider of our strength.”

The full letter was sent to Free Church prison chaplains in late March. Even if you are not directly involved in prison chaplaincy, I think the letter is a great encouragement for us all in how we can continue to serve God and serve the most vulnerable in these challenging and unprecedented times. I am grateful to Revd Bob for writing and sharing the letter with us.

Blessings to you all, and God’s strength be with you.

Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

(photo courtesy of Jeremy Yap at Unsplash)

Measures announced to protect NHS from coronavirus risk in prisons

Here is a press release from the Ministry of Justice dated 4th April 2020.

Risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date will be temporarily released from jail, as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives. You can read the full press release here.

We continue to pray for the work of our chaplains in prisons who serve prison staff and prisoners in these challenging times.

Praying in difficult times... we continue to pray for those who live and work in our prisons…

Free Churches Group has had a long and productive working relationship with the Prison Fellowship.

The Prison Fellowship’s CEO, Peter Holloway, shared this quote (below) from Corrie Ten Boom on their prayer call on Thursday. These are good words to hold on to this week, as we continue to pray for those who live and work in our prisons…

You can find out more about the Prison Fellowship and how to sign up for their prayers updates HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of Carolyn V at Unsplash)

A safe place to put down roots and grow...

Have we got a safe place to put down roots and grow? This might be a family home, shared accommodation with others, or perhaps a place of our own?

The story can be very different for those leaving prison. Typically, young prison leavers are placed in cheap, low quality accommodation which can encourage a return to old acquaintances and destructive patterns of behaviour. The Message Trust with staff, partners and volunteers are on a mission to help to change this situation… They are doing this in a number of ways, including providing a resettlement house called The Oaks. At the heart of The Oaks is a vision of a Christian community that both supports our team members as they rebuild their lives, and blesses the local area.

The Oaks is a 9 bedroom resettlement house for particularly vulnerable individuals who need extra support before they are ready to graduate into full-time employment. The Oaks offers a residential support programme lasting a minimum of 12 months. After an induction, courses will guide new team members into greater emotional stability and deeper faith in Christ. Life skills and coaching help them become better stewards of their time, finances and relationships. Days are carefully structured to allow for a balance of vocational work placements, devotions, training and free time.

Feel free to share news about this amazing venture and join us as we pray for those leaving prison that they may find a safe place to put down roots… May each person at The Oaks and all of those leaving prison be strengthened in confidence and faith, as they find a safe place; to know they have have hope and the chance to grow… Amen

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)