prison ministry Archives

Catholic leaders in Brazil object to plan to replace prison chaplains with radio stations

Jun 14, 2021

Catholic leaders in Brazil say a recent decision by the National Penitentiary Department (Depen) to replace in-person chaplain visits to prisoners with ecumenical closed circuit radio stations is a direct attack to the Catholic Church and its Prison Pastoral Commission.

By Eduardo Campos Lima

Webinar offers guidance on helping former women inmates reenter society

Jun 12, 2021

The founder of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s program Angela House addressed a national webinar recently about what is needed most to help imprisoned women successfully transition back to their community and families.

By Jo Ann Zuñiga

Archdiocese sues Wisconsin over prisoner visit restrictions

May 7, 2021

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed a lawsuit Friday demanding state corrections officials relax COVID-19 protocols and allow ministers to visit inmates.

By Associated Press

Belarus church cites denial of pastoral help to political prisoners

May 6, 2021

A Catholic Church spokesman confirmed that clergy are unable to minister to political prisoners in Belarus, after a Christian charity accused the country’s rulers of using the coronavirus as an excuse for refusing pastoral access.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

Restorative justice film offers insights into criminal, societal behavior

Mar 28, 2021

“The Prison Within” had its premiere last year in California at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, where it won the award for best social justice documentary.

By Mark Pattison

Bishop: Reports of women prisoners being abused are ‘disgusting, shameful’

Feb 26, 2021

The women housed at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton, the only women’s prison in the state of New Jersey, seem to have the cards stacked against them.

By Catholic News Service

As pandemic spreads in Brazil’s prisons, inmates complain of torture

Jan 30, 2021

After Brazil’s prisons imposed restrictive measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints of torture in correctional facilities increased by 70 percent, according to the nation’s bishops.

By Eduardo Campos Lima

Texas prisons, halfway houses grow more restricted under pandemic measures

Nov 15, 2020

Many impacted by pandemic restrictions may feel imprisoned, but Texas prisons and halfway houses are truly locked down as COVID-19-related deaths have risen.

By Jo Ann Zuñiga