prison ministry Archives

‘Extraordinary’ program guides inmates’ journey to the world

Nov 28, 2019

A voluntary faith and character-based program, created by state law, aims to assist inmates in their adjustment to prison, help them take responsibility for their actions and reduce recidivism, meaning the tendency to relapse into criminal behavior.

By Associated Press

Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says

Nov 8, 2019

Visiting the imprisoned is an act of mercy that has implications for all Christians and not just those involved in prison ministry, Pope Francis said.

By Cindy Wooden

Church, government partner to help more inmates get college education

Oct 7, 2019

So-called “Second Chance” Pell Grants, an experimental program to fund college educations for inmates and in which two Catholic institutions have been participating, are getting an expanded boost toward permanence.

By Kurt Jensen

Life without parole is not a solution to crime, pope says

Sep 16, 2019

Sentencing someone to life in prison without the possibility of parole is “not the solution to problems, but a problem to solve,” Pope Francis told Italian prison guards, prison chaplains and officials from the Ministry of Justice.

By Cindy Wooden

Texas prison ministries bring grace, sacraments behind bars

Sep 1, 2019

A longtime effort of Kolbe Prison Ministries and Texas diocesan correction ministries, Kolbe prison retreats, named for the Polish martyr, offer incarcerated men and women the chance to experience God’s redemptive grace and mercy with a weekend featuring the sacraments, small-group sharing and more, organizers said.

By James Ramos

Australian prison chaplain nervous about cardinal inmate

Aug 22, 2019

A chaplain at an Australian prison for pedophiles on Thursday described the prospect of ministering to a cardinal who until recently was regarded as the third highest-ranking Catholic in the Vatican as “nerve racking.”

By Rod McGuirk