Pact, the national Catholic charity that supports prisoners and their families, is asking for your support and prayers for its important work as we mark Prisoners Sunday this weekend (October 9).
The charity’s services manager Claire Malarkey works at HMP Askham Grange open prison and young offender institution near York, while Pact also has an “activity hub” in Middlesbrough that supports those recently released from prison.
One way Pact helps women released from prison to resettle into their community is by providing small welfare grants to help restore dignity and rebuild relationships and self-esteem.
 As one woman said: “I felt proud that I could return home with a contribution, rather than expecting my mum to pay for everything after everything she has been through.”
Another woman said: “I used it to buy my daughter some pyjamas, slippers and a dressing gown. It gave me pride to buy things independently for my child. Mentally, it meant everything.”  
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: “As president of Pact, I invite you to join me in supporting Prisoners’ Sunday on October 9.
“Pact is the major Catholic charity for the support of prisoners and their families, working in prisons across England and Wales. It is good to know that Pact is there for people of all faiths and none, supporting prisoners and their families on our behalf and with our help.”
Pact’s CEO, Andy Keen-Downs, said: “Our work in prisons and communities across England and Wales ensures that prisoners, children and families are supported, and their dignity is respected and upheld. 
“Where appropriate, we help families make a fresh start together and live lives which bear good fruit. By supporting prisoners to be restored to the community, our work makes communities safer – research shows that prisoners who have good family relationships are 39 per cent less likely to return to crime.”
Pact operates the national Prisoners’ Families Helpline on behalf of HM Prisons and Probation Service. Its dedicated team of caring staff and volunteers provide vital signposting, information and guidance seven days a week, helping with a wide range of concerns. It dealt with more than 36,000 calls in the last 12 months.
Pact’s Faith in Action team supports Catholic people and parishes to encounter the voices of people in our communities with lived experience of the criminal justice system, to reflect on Catholic Social Teaching, and to put faith into action.
It offers our JustPeople workshops, diocesan events, and a supported network of Pact parish representatives.
The charity has posted out a Pact Prisoners’ Sunday pack to every parish in England and Wales.
If you would like someone to speak briefly about Pact’s work at Mass on Prisoners’ Sunday, email  parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk.
You can find Pact Prisoners’ Sunday information and resources here: Marking Prisoners’ Sunday | Prison Advice and Care Trust