Reflection: Visit the Imprisoned

Nov 04, 2016

“Remember those who are in prison, as if in prison with them” (Heb 13:3). When Jesus began his public ministry in his home town of Nazareth, he quoted from the prophet Isaiah that he had come to proclaim liberty to captives (Lk 4:18). Society has good reasons to keep some people incarcerated but, they too, have a claim on our mercy. When we might be tempted to withhold our care from them, it would be good to recall how many saints have spent time in jail. Jesus himself experienced this condition, thereby making the prison cell sacred ground. His good news is meant for all people, regardless of their circumstances.

There are practical challenges when it comes to visiting prisoners, but the Church does have a ministry for them and properlytrained volunteers are always needed. In addition, we might look for ways to help those whose spouses or parents are incarcerated. They suffer not only the pain of separation, but the stigma of guilt.

We can also exercise this work of mercy by speaking up for the dignity of prisoners. Our prisons are overcrowded and conditions can be dehumanising for prisoners and guards alike. We must recognise that even those who are guilty of the most heinous crimes possess human dignity. Our Lord said, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). Those who committed brutal crimes and have been imprisoned are certainly “the least” in the eyes of society. Those who were most marginalised were the special recipients of Christ’s merciful outreach two thousand years ago and he wants us, the members of his Body, to continue his mission.

This work of mercy does not end when a convict is released. There are programmes of restorative justice to help former prisoners integrate back into society, and these provide opportunities for us to carry out this work. Job training and employment can help men and women get a fresh start, and, even in informal ways, we should look for ways to welcome them into our parish communities. We must be realistic enough to recognise that some ex-convicts have very deep problems that cannot be dismissed with the wave of a hand; their path will sometimes be slow and laborious, but we should commit ourselves to walking the journey with them and helping them not to give up hope.

Another important group of people who stand in need of the mercy of this work are juvenile offenders. These young people have found themselves behind bars because something or someone has failed them. We should not be naïve: working with young offenders requires discretion and training. There will be heartbreaks and setbacks. But if it is a tragedy when any human being stops hoping, it is doubly so when that human being is standing on the threshold of adult life.

Finally, we can expand this work of mercy to embrace those who are imprisoned by the circumstances of life. The elderly shutins in our parishes, the residents of homes for the aged, and those who are trapped in addictions of various kinds, are incarcerated in different ways. Their isolation is less dramatic than if they were literally in prison, but for that very reason, they are deserving of our care. And, because they live in our neighbourhoods and may be members of our own family, we have easy access to them.

We read in the Acts of the Apostles that once, when Paul and Silas were in prison, they were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25). May our hymns of praise to the God who sets us free reach the ears of our sisters and brothers in prison! -- jubileeofmercy-eb.org

Jubilee for Prisoners Nov 6, 2016

Jubilee pilgrimage for prisoners and their relatives, penitentiary employees, prison chaplains, and associations that offer assistance within and outside of prisons

Saturday, 5 November
From 3.00pm to 5.00pm : In the Jubilee Churches: S. Salvatore in Lauro, S. Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova), S. Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini

Eucharistic Adoration Sacrament of Reconciliation

From 4.00pm to 6.00pm : Pilgrimage to the Holy Door

Sunday, 6 November

7.30am: Opening of Saint Peter’s Basilica

9.00am:Time of celebration with testimonies

9.30am: Rosary in preparation for

10.00am: Holy Mass Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica

12.00am: Angelus Prayer by Pope Francis (in Saint Peter’s Square)

3.00pm: Reception celebrating Mercy

5.00pm: (Paul VI Hall)

An exhibit of products made in prisons is planned in the area around Castel Sant’Angelo. The exhibit is intended to be not-for-profit. -- iubilaeummisericordiae. va

Praying with the prisoners

Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese

Fr Surain Durai Raj the Ecclesiastical Assistant and Stephen Raj John the President of the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association (CPFA) will be in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee for Prisoners.

In the Klang Valley, the prison ministry volunteers will base their sharings on mercy according to the Parable of the Prodigal Son on November 6.

Since August this year, CPFA has organised a campaign asking parishioners to write letters to prisoners. These letters would be read out by the volunteers during their weekly visits to the prisons. Stephen said that they have received an encouraging response.

Since April this year, they started the Childcare Project focusing on mothers and children in prison. They are provided with medicine and other necessities.

There are seven parishes in the KL Archdiocese which have formed this ministry. However, the volunteers come from all over the Archdiocese.

Stephen explained that those interested to join this ministry have to attend an induction training programme which consists of eight sessions within a period of three months.

Penang Diocese

Roman Catholic Prison Ministry (RCPM) has asked all parishes to pray for the prisoners especially for their families and their needs during the November 6 Eucharistic Celebrations.

The RCPM is also donating toiletries (towels, soap, etc) to the prisoners.

Statistics of those in prison in Malaysia

Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners): 52 784 as at early 2016 (via Thai Criminology)

Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population):172 based on an estimated national population of 30.61 million as at early 2016 (from United Nations figures)

Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population): 25.8% (mid-2015)

Female prisoners (percentage of prison population): 6.2% (early 2016)

Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population): 2.2% (30.9.2002)

Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population): 30.0% (early 2016)

Number of establishments / institutions: 47 (2015 - 35 prisons, 4 reformatory centres, 5 special recovery centres, 3 Henry Gurney centres)

Official capacity of prison system: 52 150 (October 2015)

Occupancy level (based on official capacity): 99.6% (October 2015)

Prayer for prisoners

The Prayer for Prisoners could be printed on cards, OR on the Parish Notice Sheets. A separate colour version of the prayer is also available in the resource pack to Dioceses.

God, Our Creator,
We acknowledge our ancestors
and original owners of this land.
Maker and Spirit of earth and all creation
let your love possess our land
and may we share in faith and friendship
all your gifts.
We pray for all those in our prisons
and those, who through sickness,
addictions and other reasons
live in their personal prisons.
We remember and pray for those
who seek to change difficult life stories.
We remember and pray
for the victims of crime on the outside.
We remember and pray
for the countless victims of crime
on the inside.
We remember and pray for
the whole criminal justice system
and its processes.
Keep all of us ever mindful
of your great love,
so that we may always remember you
as a God of Mercy and forgiveness.
Amen