About Us
Prisoners' Week began in England and Wales in 1975. The Prisoners’ Week Committee, consisting of Prison Chaplains and other Christians involved in work with prisoners and their families, was formed to encourage prayer within churches and the wider Christian community for he needs of prisoners. This they did by producing each year a prayer and information leaflet for use on the third Sunday in November, designated Prisoners’ Sunday, with the week observed until the following Saturday. It had its beginnings as a Roman Catholic initiative by Bishop Victor Guazzelli, but quickly gained ecumenical support and became an ecumenical observance, receiving the patronage of:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Archbishop of Westminster and the Moderator of the Free Churches Group.
In 1995, seeking to focus attention , not only on the needs of prisoners but on all those involved the field of prison care, prisoners families- victims of crime-prison staff and many volunteers, the week became known as Prisons Week, and the committee known as the Prisons Week Committee.
The primary aim of the committee remains unchanged, that is to pray for and raise awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care. This is reflected in the Prisons Week Prayer:
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.
Today the committee consists of representatives of Christian denominations and Christian organisations supporting prisons ministry.
All members are voluntary and the work of producing and distributing the leaflets each year relies solely on the donations made by those receiving the prayer leaflets.
At the present time the distribution is organised from one of our Young Offender establishments
The committee as at January 2008 is as follows;
The Reverend Prebendary Bob Payne (Chair) - Prison Chaplain and formerly Assistant Chaplain General of H.M.Prisons.
The Revd Bill Davies Formerly Superintendent Methodist and Free Church Chaplain to the Prison Service.
The Rev Gordon Ashworth - Co-ordinating Chaplain – HMP Wandsworth
Monsignor Joseph P Branson - Formerly Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Prison Service.
Gareth Barton Formerly director at Prison Fellowship.
Stuart Dew United Reformed Church. Former director of Churches’ Criminal Justice Forum, and former Probation Officer.
Heather Gardner – Secretary
Angela Lovell - Distribution Co-ordinator- -Chaplaincy Volunteer Swinfen Hall.
Monica Mitchell - Society of St Vincent de Paul – Board Member
The Rev Alan Ogier - Superintendent Methodist and Free Church Chaplain to the Prison Service.
Iain Russell Langley House Trust.
Rosanne Wilshire Treasurer – Chaplaincy Volunteer HMP Swinfen Hall.
Prisons Week is a Registered Charity.
