Prisoners' Sunday 'This day...with me ... paradise'

With the support of our bishops, Pact invites parishes across England and Wales to bring people in prison and their children and families, before the Lord in prayer on Prisoners' Sunday, 8th October.

It can be difficult and upsetting to visit someone you care about in prison. In more than 60 prisons across England & Wales, Pact staff and volunteers are there to welcome children and families arriving to visit loved ones inside. Many will have had a long journey. Some will be anxious about how their loved one is coping, or about an uncomfortable conversation they need to have with them when they meet in the Visits Hall.

The Pact team explain what to expect, assist with documents and rules, and make sure there is something for children to do. Prison processes are complicated and can take time. Despite everyone's best efforts, sometimes a visit may be cancelled at the last minute, leading to huge disappointment for families trying to help each other through what can be such a horrible part of their lives. Pact staff and volunteers are there to listen, to help overcome challenges, and to support family relationships at every stage of the criminal justice system.

The work we do at Pact matters more than ever because across England & Wales, the number of people in prison is rising and of course the number of children and other family members affected, is rising too. Pact estimates that there are more than 99, 000 children who will go to bed tonight knowing their mum or dad is in prison.

Pact is the national Catholic charity supporting prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. This year marks 125 years since the charity's formation as the Catholic Prisoners' Aid Society. Today Pact supports people of all faiths and none, working in prisons, courts, and in communities across England and Wales.

The charity's CEO, Andy Keen-Downs, says: "Pact builds bridges of hope and opportunity for people who want to make a fresh start after prison. This year - with your help - Pact will enable hundreds of men and women to start life again after a custodial sentence. And during a sentence, when things get very dark, like they were for the mum quoted above, when people can lose hope, we are there inside the prisons, alongside hard-working prison officers, nurses and chaplains, providing hope and practical support to enable people to cope."

Every parish has now received a Pact Prisoners' Sunday pack in the post. We hope you will see the Prisoners' Sunday poster in your church and pray the dedicated bidding prayers together on 8th October - or a nearby Sunday.

Prisoners' Sunday is also Pact's annual appeal. The faithful support of Catholic parishes has been and continues to be both important and deeply appreciated. Bishop Richard Moth, Liaison Bishop for Prisons on behalf of the Bishops' Conference, reminds us that, 'In our communities there are more children and families who have a loved one in prison and who may be struggling with stigma, isolation and perhaps hardship, as a result... I would encourage you to hold a retiring collection to help continue the work of Pact in the year ahead. Together we can help prisoners and their families make a fresh start.'

If you would like to support Pact's Prisoners' Sunday Appeal directly, you can make a donation here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/donate/prisoners-sunday-appeal

Find out more about Pact here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/