Get in touch if you would like someone to speak about Pact’s work at Mass on Prisoners’ Sunday where you are: [email protected]

A message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols:

"As President of Pact, I invite you to join with me in supporting Prisoners’ Sunday on 8th October 2023. Pact is the national Catholic charity providing support to prisoners and their families.

"It is good to know that Pact is there for people of all faiths and none, supporting prisoners and their families on our behalf and with our help. I encourage you to play your part in this work of the Gospel for the common good of all.’"

Pact posts out a Prisoners’ Sunday pack to every parish in England & Wales – arriving around 18th September. It contains a poster, bidding prayers, information about our work and second collection details.

Jake's story

Now Jake has a release date but this time he is leaving prison with new, employable skills and a better understanding of himself. With Pact’s help, he has an increased chance of successfully making a fresh start and living a crime-free life.

Pact works in 10 prisons in the Birmingham Archdiocese as well as in the community.

Jake* has been in prison many times since 2008. Each time he has been motivated to mentor other prisoners while he is inside. This time, Pact’s member of staff, Charles*, sat down with Jake and talked through his hopes and plans.

Charles noticed that although Jake appeared to be very confident on the surface, there were signs that this was a way of coping and that he was actually lacking in confidence in himself.

He encouraged Jake to do some confidence and assertiveness training. This made a big difference. Jake became more aware of his own feelings and responses – and he began to recognise that he was suffering from depression. 

Encouraged by Charles, Jake got some help with his mental health. With Charles’ continuing support, Jake was able to engage fully with some great learning opportunities, so that his time inside was well-spent.

This is just one example of Pact staff and volunteers walking alongside people affected by imprisonment.

Now Jake has a release date but this time he is leaving prison with new, employable skills and a better understanding of himself. With Pact’s help, he has an increased chance of successfully making a fresh start and living a crime-free life.

Pact's CEO, Andy Keen-Downs explains: "Our work in prisons and communities across England & Wales ensures that prisoners, children and families are supported; and their dignity is respected and upheld.

"Where appropriate we help families to make a fresh start together and live lives which bear good fruit. By supporting prisoners to be restored to the community, our work makes communities safer – research shows that prisoners who have good family relationships are 39% less likely to return to crime.

"We humbly request that parishes consider taking up a second collection to support the work of Pact in the year ahead. Your support means we can do more for prisoners and their families. You can choose a nearby Sunday for the second collection if that helps.

"We are delighted that this year Bishop David Evans will celebrate Mass in St Chad’s Cathedral on Prisoners’ Sunday at 11.30am. How beautiful and how fitting that prisoners and their families will be brought before the Lord in the Cathedral as well as in parishes in the diocese."

Get in touch if you would like someone to speak about Pact’s work at Mass on Prisoners’ Sunday where you are: [email protected]

More information

You can donate to Pact's Prisoners' Sunday Appeal: Prisoners' Sunday Appeal

Pact Prisoners’ Sunday information and resources: Marking Prisoners' Sunday | Prison Advice and Care Trust

Prisoners' Sunday Pack

Our Faith in Action team supports Catholic people and parishes to encounter the voices of people in our communities with lived experience of the criminal justice system, to reflect on Catholic Social Teaching, and to put faith into action. We offer our JustPeople workshops, Diocesan events, and a supported network of Pact Parish Representatives. Events | Prison Advice and Care Trust

*names changed to protect identities

You can join Pact at a free JustPeople online workshop on September 15

JustPeople Workshop