Transforming Lives in Prisons: A Mission of Love and Support
Discover how Prison Fellowship is making a difference by showing Christ's love to individuals in prison, addressing the challenges they face, and upholding their inherent dignity through volunteer efforts, prayer, and supportive programs. Join us in transforming lives and bringing hope to those in need.
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Our Mission To show Christ s love to people in prison by coming alongside them and supporting them. Every life in prison transformed.
Why we exist Prison population in England and Wales is just over 85,000 The UK is the top incarcerator in Western Europe (132 people in prison per 100,000 population). 44% of adults are reconvicted within one year of release; for those serving sentences of less than 12 months this increases to 59%. 65% of boys with a convicted parent go on to offend. Rates of self-harm in prisons are at the highest level ever recorded, having doubled in the last ten years. Approximately 38% of people in prison were identified as having a learning disability or difficulty in 2022. Every life in prison transformed.
Why we exist (2) People in prison (adults): 24% were in foster care as a child 29% experienced abuse as a child 47% have no qualifications 68% were unemployed before custody 15% were homeless before custody 21% of men and 46% of women have attempted suicide at some point Every life in prison transformed.
Our Biblical calling Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25: 37-40 Every life in prison transformed.
How? Prison Fellowship E&W has been active for over 40 years. We have around 3,000 volunteers across England and Wales, connected in a network of Local Groups. We are currently involved with 98% of the prisons in England and Wales. Every life in prison transformed.
Prayer Prayer is the basis for all that we do, and where it all started. Prison Fellowship Local Groups meet regularly to pray for prisons, people in prison, their families and prison staff. From prayer comes practical care to help and support. Every life in prison transformed.
Programmes Every life in prison transformed.
Sycamore Tree Sycamore Tree is a course about restorative justice and victim awareness that takes place in prisons over six sessions, using the biblical restorative story of Zacchaeus. The programme develops offenders understanding of the impact of their crime upon others and upon themselves. PF volunteers, motivated by their Christian faith, deliver the programme. The programme is accredited by Gateway Qualifications and Ofqual. Every life in prison transformed.
Sycamore Tree It s made me look at myself, what kind of person I am. I want to change. Sycamore Tree has massively opened my eyes and I realise what pain and suffering I caused to other people. I won t hurt people again. - Sycamore Tree graduates Every life in prison transformed.
Angel Tree It is estimated that around 310,000 children in England and Wales are affected by parental imprisonment each year. That means, more than double the number of children are affected by parental imprisonment than divorce in the family. Angel Tree supports people in prison in their family relationships by providing a way for them to give Christmas presents to their children. In 2022 we sent out over 4,700 gifts. On Mothers Day we also enable young offenders to send a card and gift to their mum. Every life in prison transformed.
Angel Tree My kids loved their presents, your programme is very special. Keep up the good work! I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am very close to my little girl. It has been very hard on us being parted and Angel Tree has made it a bit easier. - Parents of Angel Tree gift recipients Every life in prison transformed.
Letter Link People in prison often feel extremely lonely and isolated, and many have lost touch with their family and friends on the outside. A letter might be the only communication a person in prison receives and can provide huge encouragement and a link to the outside world. Our letter writing programme enables people in prison to feel valued and supported while in custody. You are keeping me in touch with the outside world which I miss very much I look forward to when they call out the mail each day. Letter writer in prison Every life in prison transformed.
Chaplaincy Support Everything that we do in PF works alongside the Chaplaincy. In addition to our programmes, PF volunteers also assist in a variety of other ways. For example: Sunday services; Pastoral support; Discipleship courses. Every life in prison transformed.
Bible Studies In 2020, at the request of the prison service, PF was asked to produce a weekly Bible Study to be sent to every chaplaincy team. Every week, an experienced group of Prison Fellowship volunteers produces a Bible Study based on a short passage from Scripture which is circulated throughout every prison in England and Wales. Each study is thought provoking, full of hope and encourages people in prison to reflect on and engage with the text in different ways. Every life in prison transformed.
Prayer Line Prayer Line allows anyone in prison to call a free number and leave a confidential message with their personal prayer request. Prison Fellowship s team of volunteers are committed to pray for each person that calls on that day and across the following month. It is as simple as that, and there are no catches! Every life in prison transformed.
Prayer Line Every life in prison transformed.
Join with us Local churches are vital partners in our work. Pray. Prayer is at the root of all we do. Each month we publish a prayer diary with guidance on how to pray for people in prison, their families, prison staff, and the work of PF. Volunteer. Join a PF Local Group, and contribute to one of our PF programmes or through supporting chaplaincy. Give. Sow financially into our work to enable us to reach more people in prison across England and Wales. Every life in prison transformed.
Connect with us Receive our printed magazine In:sight in the post. www.prisonfellowship.org.uk Pfenglandwales Sign up for our monthly Prayer Diary, or use the QR code to follow us on PrayerMate @PFenglandwales PFenglandwales Contact our Support Office: 020 7799 2500 Every life in prison transformed.
