Every life in prison transformed Our Mission To

Every life in prison transformed.

Our Mission To show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them. Every life in prison transformed.

Why we exist • Prison population in England & Wales is just under 85, 000. • The UK is the top incarcerator in Western Europe (145 prisoners per 100, 000 population). • 44% of adults are reconvicted within one year of release; for those serving sentences of less than 12 months this increases to 59%. • 65% of boys with a convicted parent go on to offend. • Rates of self-harm in prisons are at the highest level ever recorded (over 40, 000 incidents in 2016), and assaults on staff have risen 88% in the last 2 years. Every life in prison transformed.

Why we exist (2) People in prison (adults): • 24% were in foster care as a child • 29% experienced abuse as a child • 47% have no qualifications • 68% were unemployed before custody • 15% were homeless before custody • 21% of men and 46% of women have attempted suicide at some point Every life in prison transformed.

Our Biblical Calling “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? ’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ’” Matthew 25: 37 -40 Every life in prison transformed.

How? Prison Fellowship E&W has been active for nearly 40 years. We have over 2, 500 volunteers across England Wales, connected in a network of Local Groups. We are currently involved with 98% of the prisons in England Wales (118 of 120). Every life in prison transformed.

Prayer is the basis for all that we do, and where it all started. Prison Fellowship Local Groups meet regularly to pray for prisons, prisoners, their families and prison staff. From prayer comes practical care to help and support. Every life in prison transformed.

Programmes Every life in prison transformed.

Sycamore Tree • Sycamore Tree is a course about restorative justice and victim awareness that takes place in prisons over six sessions, using the biblical restorative story of Zacchaeus. • The programme develops offenders’ understanding of the impact of their crime upon others and upon themselves. • PF volunteers, motivated by their Christian faith, deliver the programme. • The programme is accredited by Gateway Qualifications and Ofqual. Every life in prison transformed.

Sycamore Tree “It’s made me look at myself, what kind of person I am. I want to change. ” “Sycamore Tree has massively opened my eyes and I realise what pain and suffering I caused to other people. I won’t hurt people again. ” - Sycamore Tree graduates Every life in prison transformed.

Angel Tree It is estimated that around 200, 000 children in England Wales are affected by parental imprisonment each year. That means, more than double the number of children are affected by parental imprisonment than divorce in the family. Angel Tree supports prisoners in their family relationships by providing a way for them to give Christmas presents to their children. In 2017 we sent out over 4, 500 gifts On Mothers’ Day we also enable young offenders to send a card and gift to their mum. Every life in prison transformed.

Angel Tree “My kids loved their presents, your programme is very special. Keep up the good work!” “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am very close to my little girl. It has been very hard on us being parted and Angel Tree has made it a bit easier. ” - Parents of Angel Tree gift recipients Every life in prison transformed.

Letter Link Prisoners often feel extremely lonely and isolated, and many have lost touch with their family and friends on the outside. A letter might be the only communication a prisoner receives and can provide huge encouragement and a link to the outside world. Our letter writing programme enables prisoners to feel valued and supported while in custody. “You are keeping me in touch with the outside world which I miss very much… I look forward to when they call out the mail each day. ” – Prisoner letter writer Every life in prison transformed.

Chaplaincy Support Everything that we do in PF, works alongside the Chaplaincy. In addition to our programmes, PF volunteers also assist in a variety of other ways, for example: – Sunday services; – Pastoral support; – Bible studies and discipleship courses. Every life in prison transformed.

Join with us Local churches are vital partners in our work. • Prayer is at the root of all we do. Each month we publish a prayer diary with guidance on how to pray for prisoners, their families, prison staff, and the work of PF. • Volunteer. Join a PF Local Group, and contribute to one of our PF programmes or through supporting chaplaincy. • Give. Sow financially into our work to enable us to reach more prisoners across England Wales. Every life in prison transformed.

Connect with us Receive our printed magazine In: sight in the post. www. prisonfellowship. org. uk Sign up for our monthly Voices email newsletter. Pfenglandwales Contact our Support Office: @PFenglandwales 020 7799 2500 info@prisonfellowship. org. uk Every life in prison transformed. PFenglandwales