Prisoners’ Sunday falls this year on October 8, when parishes across England and Wales are invited to bring people in prison and their families before the Lord in prayer.
Pact is the national Catholic charity supporting prisoners, people with convictions and their families.
This year marks 125 years since the charity’s formation as the Catholic Prisoners’ Aid Society. Today Pact supports people of all faiths and none, working in more than 60 prisons, in courts and in communities across England and Wales. 
In our diocese Pact works at Askham Grange women’s prison near York and at the probation hub in Middlesbrough, helping people recently released from prison to make good choices, nurture relationships and learn to rebuild their lives.
Askham Grange is an open prison for women reaching the end of their sentence. Many women go out to work or on visits to see their family, but they often find leaving prison daunting, perhaps even frightening. 
Pact helps women prepare for release by learning new skills and by supporting them to feel positive about themselves. Our work helps women to be restored to the community and live good lives. 
Pact can sometimes give small welfare grants, often funded by the generosity of donors. Women receive vouchers, which are often used for food and clothes and perhaps a mobile phone. By receiving basic items on their release they have some help to begin their journey and make a fresh start.
Pact’s member of staff at Askham Grange, Claire, said: “The women and families I work with have benefited enormously from these vouchers. It gives them peace of mind that they can meet their basic needs on release and is a lifeline to many while waiting for initial benefits payments.” 
More than 85,000 people are in prison across England and Wales today. We incarcerate more people per capita than any other country in Western Europe. About 97,000 children in our communities have spent their summer holidays knowing their mum or dad is in prison. 
This Prisoners’ Sunday, Pact urges every parish to consider how they can make a difference.
Every Catholic parish should have received a Prisoners’ Sunday pack with a poster, bidding prayers and a message from Pact president Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
The charity encourages all parishes to mark the day or another nearby Sunday, requesting a second collection for those who choose and can donate. The money raised will help Pact to do more in the year ahead to support women and men in prison and their children and families.

Find out more about how you can help at prisonadvice.org.uk/donate/prisoners-sunday-appeal.

Pact: Catholic charity Pact is urging people to support its important work in prisons