I am a trustee for Prisons Week and this is why it is important

Prisons Week is a week in the year set aside for Christian communities to engage in prayer and to support those connected with the Criminal Justice System; prisoners, their families, victims of crime, and those working in the prison system.

While it is important to pray for all people involved in the justice system, I believe a particular focus on women in prison is especially vital. Women in prison face unique challenges, and the Church, as a body of Christ, has a responsibility to respond with compassion, advocacy, and prayer.

Women in prison are often among the most vulnerable members of society.

Women in prison are often among the most vulnerable members of society. Many have experienced trauma, including physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, or addiction, before their imprisonment. Studies show that around 60% of women in prison have been victims of abuse. Imprisonment often exacerbates the effects of this trauma. Praying for women in prison is a way to acknowledge their suffering and ask for God’s healing in their lives. As the Church, we are called to stand alongside the vulnerable and marginalized, offering them hope.

Sixty per cent of women compared to forty five per cent of men have children, a custodial sentence has far-reaching consequences for their children and families. When a mother is imprisoned, her children are more likely to experience emotional distress, family instability, and even enter the foster care system. Prisons Week provides an opportunity to lift these women in prayer, asking God to protect and care for their children and families during their time of separation.

When a mother is imprisoned, her children are more likely to experience emotional distress, family instability, and even enter the foster care system.

The Church needs to pray not only for the women but also for the children who may be struggling with confusion, pain, anxiety and insecurity. It is essential to remember the ripple effects of imprisonment on families and communities.

Many women in prison often carry a heavy burden of shame, this can lead to feelings of isolation, self-hatred, and hopelessness. As Christians, we believe in a God who forgives, restores, and heals. Praying for women in prison is a way to bring their pain before God, asking for chains of shame and guilt that are often so prevalent and damaging to be broken.

The Church can also pray for the women’s emotional and spiritual rehabilitation, asking for God’s grace to give them hope and strength to overcome their challenges and for them to discover their true identity, worth and dignity as children of God.

Women in prison lack access to adequate interventions - rehabilitation programs, education, healthcare, and mental health services as well as follow on support after release. There is a severe lack of accommodation for those leaving prison and a huge stigma around having a criminal conviction. This reduces employment possibilities and opportunities.Without these resources, the chances of reintegrating into society well and breaking the cycle of re-offence lessens. By praying for women in prison and upon release, the Church acknowledges the need for these essential services and can ask for wisdom and compassion from policymakers to provide programs that will help women to be able to rebuild their lives positively.

Praying for people in prison is in fact, a biblical mandate. Scripture is filled with calls for justice and mercy for those who are marginalised or oppressed. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus says, “I was in prison, and you visited me,” emphasising the importance of caring for those behind bars. Women in prison are often neglected or overlooked by society, but the Church is called to be a voice for justice and mercy, advocating for their rights and offering the support they need.

Prisons Week offers the Church a chance to pray for systemic changes within the justice system, advocating for policies that are fair and restorative rather than punitive. It is a time to pray for the Criminal Justice System to reflect God’s heart of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

Through prayer, the worldwide Church can uplift these women, interceding for their healing, restoration, and the transformation of their lives. As the body of Christ, we are called to be agents of hope and redemption, showing the love of God to all people, including those behind prison walls. Let’s not forget these women in our prayers and actions, allowing God’s grace to touch their lives in powerful ways.