Prison reform - then and now!

Did you know that The Howard League is the oldest penal reform charity in the UK?

Did you also know that it was set up in the name of John Howard, who was an active free church member?

The Howard League was founded in memory of one of England’s earliest prison reformers, John Howard (1726-1790). The League are still active in all sorts of work and play a vital role in prison reform.

For over 150 years the Howard League for Penal Reform is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison. They work with parliament and the media, with criminal justice professionals, students and members of the public, influencing debate and forcing through meaningful change to create safer communities.

They campaign on a wide range of issues. Recent programmes have focused on transforming prisons, reducing child arrests, promoting real work in custody, and ending the criminalisation of children in residential care. They use our legal work to transform and shape the law for children and young people.

Free Churches Group and Free Church chaplains continue to play a key role in the lives of prisoners and prison staff, to support and pastor men and women. You can read more about the work of FCG in prisons in England and Wales HERE.

Let us give thanks for the work of the Howard League over the last 150 years, giving thanks to God for the brave and active work they do in making the lives of prisoners healthier and rehabilitative.

Let us pray

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.

Photo courtesy of Mitch Rosen at Unsplash

A productive and hope-filled partnership with the Prison Fellowship...

The Prison Fellowship and Kintsugi Hope are coming together to explore adapting the course for the prison context. You can read more about this compassionate Christian endeavour here.

Kintsugi Hope is about embracing our brokenness, and that is such a powerful message for men and women in prison to hear. When we share in our brokenness, we share our common humanity, and we allow God’s love to make gold. Their mission is ‘discovering treasure in life’s scars.’

FCG have worked with Prison Fellowship for may years and are delighted to hear about this new project which links people and groups together.

Prison Fellowships’s mission is to show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them.

This new project between these two groups sounds like a powerful, prayerful and practical partnership.

Please join with us as we pray for this venture, in their journeying together:

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.

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Photo courtesy of Sara Iles, the door of an FCG member church in Neath, South Wales.

Read about this new project here!

International Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry

Save the date! 25th August is the International Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry

You can check out links for resources and prayers from previous years HERE.

This is date is a gathering together and praying for the work of the International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) across the nations.

FCG’s very own Revd Bob Wilson serves on the IPCA Europe Steering Committee.

You can register for the IPCA newsletter and read more about their important work HERE.

Pray with us: Lord God, Blessed are you, creator of the universe. You have called us to serve you in bringing good news to the poor and liberty to those in prison. Look with kindness upon all who serve you in this ministry, grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your mission to all. Fill our hearts with zeal and perseverance as heralds of the Gospel. Amen

(Photo courtesy of Nathan Dumlao @ Unsplash)

Have you heard about the work of the International Prison Chaplain's Association?

The International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) has its roots in Scandinavia where Prison Chaplains from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have held biennial conferences since 1973. The FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and the Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair for IPCA Europe UK.

You can read more about the important work which IPCA does HERE.

Revd Bob Wilson has written about a recent IPCA Steering Committee where they explored issues with UN in Vienna in the run-up to the Crime Commission.

You can read Revd Wilson’s full article HERE

Join us as we pray for the work of IPCA and all those who work in prisons and who are serving sentences:

PRAYER
Lord God, Blessed are you, creator of the universe. You have called us to serve you in bringing good news to the poor and liberty to those in prison. Look with kindness upon all who serve you in this ministry, grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your mission to all. Fill our hearts with zeal and perseverance as heralds of the Gospel. Amen

BLESSING
May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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IPCA now has six regions, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America and more information can be found on their website at www.ipcaworldwide.org. IPCA-Europe has been the strongest regional organization and has developed a life of its own with many initiatives such as a link with the Council of Europe and the C.P.T. It has always elected its own Steering Committee as well as linking in with IPCA-Worldwide and the International Commission for Prison Pastoral Care.

(photo courtesy of Thomas Dils @ Unsplash)

Clinks Training: Introduction to working and volunteering in prison

17th July, Bristol | 24th July, London | £75 members, £150 non-members

Do you have staff and volunteers who are new to working in a custodial setting?

This interactive and engaging one-day course aims to raise awareness of the prison environment and enable voluntary sector staff and volunteers to have meaningful and professional engagement with prisons.

Delegates will:

Discuss concerns and fears, and acquire a confidence boosting approach

Be guided through an up to date overview of the criminal justice system, including different elements of the prison and probation services

Gain an understanding of the prison environment and the demographics of those in custody

Consider safe and responsible working within custodial settings, and be confident working within their boundaries.

"I wanted to let you know I thought the day was excellent and very informative. It was both engaging and interactive." – Training delegate, London 2018

Each training day has a maximum of 15 places so book now to avoid disappointment.

Find out more and book here: Bristol | London