Prisons are never out of the public gaze, especially when there are problems. Sadly, the portrayal is usually negative and the response of the public is often caricatured by equally negative media comment. How does the Christian respond and how does this relate to the Gospel? This is at the heart of Prisons Week which takes place each year in November.
This year, Prisons Week will be 15-21 November 2009.
Prisons Week was established on an ecumenical basis in 1975 to pray for and raise awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prison staff and all who care. This year the theme will be “Hold Fast to Hope” based on Hebrews 10.23 which is the New Testament Reading for many Churches on the Sunday in Prisons Week. The Prayer Leaflet for this year says that “we live in a troubled world where it is easy for some to give up hope, including those affected by the reality of prisons” and that this is “a hope that is rooted in our belief that the divine spark is in all people, that no-one and no situation is hopeless or beyond redemption, and that change can and does take place.”
This year Prisons Week asks for prayer each day for victims, prisoners, families, prison staff, the community and the Justice System, all who need hope to work through the challenges they face. The Prayer Leaflet can be downloaded from the Prisons Week Website at www.prisonsweek.org where you will also find resources for the week including some “Stories of Hope” from the UK and other countries, some “Sayings of Hope”, and other material to assist individuals and Worship Leaders.
The Reverend Prebendary Bob Payne, Chair of Prisons Week Committee
In Monmouth Diocese, Revd Nick Sandford is Chaplain at Usk Prison
