Prison Chaplaincy

A much hidden but very important work that goes on throughout our diocese is the work of prison chaplains. The number of prisoners throughout England and Wales is at its highest level ever and seems to be on course to continue to rise.

Within the boundary of our diocese we have one of the highest numbers of prisons, holding prisoners of every category within the system, ranging from young offenders, to women to top security. The total number of prisoners been around 3,000 in all! These prisoners are served by dedicated teams of chaplains of all faiths including, of course, are very own Roman Catholic Chaplains.

Prison Chaplains from our diocese include a whole range of people – 2 full time priests (myself and a priest from Salford diocese), religious sisters, deacons and lay people and a number of parish priest who visit prisons in their parish to celebrate Mass and help with other pastoral duties.

All Chaplains and volunteers have a full range of local training provided by the prison. In addition to this there is a full programme of support and training provided by the Prison Service Chaplaincy, at both a national and regional level.

Prison Chaplaincy is demanding and at times emotionally draining but also brings us to the very heart of the Gospel. In 2006 the Catholic Bishops Conference produced an excellent document entitled: A Place of redemption – A Christian approach to punishment and prison. One of the quotes given is from our own late Bishop Harris who said:

The Criminal is a threat so we restrain him.
He is a misguided delinquent so we must reform him.
But as a human being we salute him – he is a son of God
and our brother in Christ.

In the document’s epilogue it says:

That no matter how hopeless their situation may appear to be,
we must never give up on anyone. And that every place can be a place of redemption.

This then is the work of a prison chaplain. This is the work of the Church going on unseen, behind bars and walls – bringing Christ and meeting Christ in the most desperate and hopeless of circumstances. But it is work well worth doing and all our chaplains are to be applauded and supported. Bishop Terry has continued the practice of meeting with the Chaplains for an annual meeting and a meal together. He is also visiting prisons regularly and sees the chaplaincy work as a very important part of the diocese.

Fr Patrick Cope