Prisons Week takes place this year from 12 to 18 October.
“You learn about society by seeing how people are treated in its prisons, and it’s an absolute mess in ours. The prison system is insanely broken – people here are not treated like human beings. The maximum emphasis is on punishment with only superficial mention of rehabilitation. Many resort to smashing the contents of their cells or self-harming as a way to access help. It is absolutely no wonder that re-offending rates are so high when those leaving prison are in a worse way than when they came in. Whatever stability people had in their lives before prison, whether it’s housing or employment, is ripped away when you step inside and there is minimal help to put things back together”.
These are the views of a 24-year-old man in prison for the first time who is serving two years for political activism.
Prisons’ Sunday on 12 October marks the start of the annual week of prayer to raise awareness of issues faced by those affected by the criminal justice system. It will be marked, as usual, in the Cathedral with the diocesan Criminal Justice Affairs Group (CJAG) having an input in this morning’s service.
On Prisons' Sunday and throughout the rest of the week, we pray not only for offenders and victims of crime (recognising that many people in prison are both) - we pray also for families, friends, prison staff, chaplains, police, probation and all who make decisions which impact people’s lives. We are all created in the image of God who came to earth to be with us and to enter into our pain and suffering as well as our joys and delight. We will pause to reflect on Jesus Christ’s encounters with people when he walked on earth, and his compassion, always offering hope and the possibility of transformation even in places of suffering.
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
