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PRISONS
SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2000
'Remember
those in prison as if you were fellow prisoners.' Hebrews 13:3
Prisons Sunday is the third Sunday in November with the week observed
until the following Saturday (18th - 24th Nov 2001).
An ecumenical Prisoners' Week Committee was formed in 1975 to encourage
Christians to focus their attention, thoughts and above all, prayers,
upon prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prison staff
and all those working for prisoners and their families. The Committee
publishes an information and prayer leaflet.
Some prison facts:
- There
are 137 prisons in England and Wales and 22 in Scotland.
- The
total prison population is 65,000 with approximately 3,000 prisoners
on Home Detention Curfew (electronic monitoring in the community).
-
The numbers include: · 3,400 women prisoners, · 13,000 young offenders
(18 - 21) · 2,000 juveniles (15 - 17) with many prisons now having juvenile
units. · 4,000 life-sentence prisoners.
-
There are almost 600 Chaplains representing the main Christian traditions
as well as ministers of Other World Faith communities.
A Chaplain reflects: "In the time I have been here I have found the
work rewarding and certainly challenging. I have to remind myself continually
that we are all human beings and our basic needs are the same. Even when
the wrong choices in life have been made. Even so there are those who
are open enough to want to move in a new direction while sadly for others
- to be in and out of custody has become a way of life."
In
1910 Winston Churchill then Home Secretary, spoke of the principles which
underlined penal policy. They are no less relevant to-day: “... A constant
heart-searching by all charged with the duty of punishment, a desire and
eagerness to rehabilitate in the world of industry all those who have
paid their dues in the hard coinage of punishment... And an unfaltering
faith that there is treasure if you can only find it, in the heart of
every man."
Prayers
for Prisoners Week:
-
Dear Lord, I did wrong - I thought it was right. You forgave me. I tried
again - I made it worse. You forgave me. I resented your will - I bitterly
fought. You still forgave me. Although others despised me, they can't
understand. I live with their hatred but I continue on and I gain strength,
because - you forgave me. Pray for young people in prison. Lord we ask
you to help all young people to develop into mature and responsible
young adults. We ask you to comfort parents who are worried about their
children passing through this difficult time of their lives. Pray for
the victims of crime and their families. God of justice and compassion
we pray for all who bear the wounds of crime that they may be healed
in body, mind and spirit, given freedom from bitterness and the grace
to forgive. Pray for all men and women in prison. Heavenly Father of
us all, you alone can truly judge your creation. Help us to pray for
all prisoners, no matter what their crimes may be, that they may find
your grace, mercy and forgiveness, Amen.
A prisoners prayer, HMP Holloway
- Lord,
you offer freedom to all people. We pray for all who are captive in
prison and for those who are affected by or involved in their imprisonment.
Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your
love, prisoners, their families, 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
his spirit, now and every day. Amen.
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