Prisons’ Week runs from 15 – 21 November and aims to pray for and raise awareness
of the needs of prisoners, their families and victims of offenders as well as prison staff
and volunteers.
Kevin Downham, Chaplain of HMP Long Lartin, said: “Prisons’ week is a great opportunity
for the public to see the good that goes on within prisons and help to counteract the
constantly negative view set out by the media. The week is a time to focus our attention
on all those who are involved with prisons in a range of different ways.”
This year’s campaign will aim to highlight some lesser known statistics. For example, for
every five prisoners in the UK, there’s just one prison guard, resulting in considerable
stress for those working within prisons. Men recently released from prison are also 8
times more likely to commit suicide, and women 36 times more likely. By highlighting
these issues, Prisons’ Week hopes to reduce these numbers and help provide better
support and services.
Along with the Diocesan Criminal Justice Affairs group, Kevin is helping to organise a
special service in the Cathedral to mark Prisons’ Week.
A prayer for prisons week:
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
activities
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
Please pray for all prisoners and
their families, as well as those who
have been recently released. For
prison staff and all the volunteers
who give up their time to work
with the prison community.
Bromsgrove Deanery – Rural Dean:
Garth Nathaniel; Lay Chair: David
Hargreaves
Diocese of Truro: Bishop Timothy
Thornton with Bishop Christopher
Goldsmith (St. Germans)
Diocese of Carlisle: Bishop James
Newcome with Bishop Robert
Freeman (Penrith)
Diocese of Stavanger (Norway):
Bishop Erling Pettersen
