Since its Prison Appeal was launched, the CTS has raised £12,500 towards its target of £30,000 from members and supporters. Now the society, which promotes the Church’s mission of evangelisation by publishing high-quality Catholic resources at affordable prices, is extending the appeal to dioceses and parishes nationwide.

“As many as one in four prisoners in young offender institutions is held in conditions bordering on solitary confinement, according to the Howard league for Prison Reform,” said CTS Fundraising and Liaison Officer, Moira Forrester.

“Against this background, prayer groups become very difficult to organise, and prisoners are often left to struggle on their own. Roman Catholic prison chaplains are begging for Catholic Bibles and other catechetical resources to support the prisoners in their journey of faith, which can be reawakened by their time inside and away from home. There’s no greater gift we can offer to people who might face all kinds of challenges in their lives. Faith is a big issue behind bars and your support can be of real help to those who wish to become more confident in the truths of our Catholic faith. Prisoners have told us that the Bibles and other books we’ve been able to provide have helped them get their lives back on track. Your money can help us ensure that every Catholic prisoner who wants to is able to have the scriptures at hand, whatever else they’re going through. We’d ask you to give as much as you can towards this appeal and help us to respond to every request we receive from those in prison and their chaplains across the country.”

There are an estimated 15,000 Catholics in prison in England and Wales. The CTS publishes resources for people in all situations and walks of life, supporting priests, teachers and catechists and enabling them to pass on the gift of faith to new generations. The society also reaches out to schools, hospitals, seminaries, missions, the media and those enquiring about the faith.

To donate to the appeal, visit www.ctsbooks.org/prisonappeal, where you will be redirected to the CTS Prison Appeal’s Just Giving page.