London: As the Catholic Church in England and Wales observes Prisoners’ Sunday on October 12, attention turns to those most often overlooked: prisoners, their families, and all those affected by incarceration. This day marks the beginning of Prisons Week, a period dedicated to prayer, reflection, and outreach for inmates, victims of crime, prison staff, and the broader criminal justice community.
Rooted in the Christian call to compassion and solidarity, Prisoners’ Sunday invites the faithful to look beyond prison walls and consider how communities and the Church can offer support and encouragement. Sarah Young, a spiritual director with the Jesuit Institute in the UK, emphasizes that the day is a moment to ask, “How are we serving our brothers and sisters affected by imprisonment?”
The Jesuit Institute’s prison ministry gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that placed immense strain on prison chaplaincies. Recognizing the need for support, the Institute began offering online retreats to prison chaplains, who soon requested that similar programs be made available to inmates themselves. These retreats, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, are carefully adapted to each prison’s security level, chaplaincy resources, and the specific needs of participants.
“We go in either for a week, maybe even just for a day, and offer a retreat,” Sarah explains. Sessions range from workshops on prayer to one-on-one spiritual guidance, helping prisoners navigate anxiety, confusion, and despair.
Feedback from chaplains and prisoners has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants often describe the experience as a non-judgmental encounter where they feel truly listened to. Many emerge from retreats with renewed hope, able to envision a way forward even while serving long sentences. This emphasis on hope aligns with 2025’s Jubilee of Hope, a year highlighted by Pope Francis’ focus on prisoners and his opening of a Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison.
Vron Smith, another member of the Jesuit Institute, highlights that the ministry’s work is about more than retreats: it is about encountering God in unexpected places and helping prisoners recognize their own dignity. “When people know they are deeply loved by God, something can shift and change within them,” Vron says.
Prison ministry extends beyond those behind bars. Many prisoners ask that prayers be offered for their families, who bear their own burdens. The Jesuit Institute is exploring partnerships with Catholic charities like Pact to support the families of prisoners, recognizing that imprisonment reverberates beyond the prison walls.
Hope remains central to the ministry, reflecting the Jubilee Year’s theme. Prisoners, despite their circumstances, remain part of the Church and the wider Body of Christ. Even small acts, such as praying for others, help them remain connected and engaged with their faith community.
The Jesuit Institute’s work relies entirely on donations and prayer, with all retreats and programs offered free of charge. Sarah and Vron stress the importance of both financial support and spiritual solidarity, urging the faithful to pray for prisoners and their families.
“Sometimes people make big mistakes, but they remain human and need our prayers,” Sarah emphasizes. Vron adds, “Please pray for the project, pray for those in prison and their relatives. If there is a way to offer some kind of donation to allow God’s presence in prisons to grow, we would be really grateful.”
In a world where prisoners are often forgotten, the Jesuit Institute’s ministry provides a rare space of hope, spiritual growth, and human encounter, quietly transforming lives behind closed doors.