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Pact's vision is of a society that understands justice as a process of restoration and healing, that uses prisons sparingly and as places of learning and rehabilitation, and that values the innate dignity and worth of every human being. They work for the common good of Society, taking a public health-based approach. They work at the intersection of criminal justice, child and family welfare, mental health, wellbeing provision and health and social care.
"Pact is the national Catholic charity working to support prisoners and their families. Pact Visitor Centres and Family Days in prisons are a cornerstone of our work.
"You will find us in all six prisons in the Arundel & Brighton Diocese. We don't just support those in prison and families visiting loved ones inside. We support families in the community too, through our helpline, peer support, and befriending services. Often, the imprisonment of a loved one will be a challenging and isolating time for children and families. As one mum told us, ‘I had to go into the school through a different door because people were talking about me in the playground.’
"Last year, across England & Wales, Pact supported more than 100,000 prison visits, took 36,000 calls on our Prisoners' Families Helpline, and gave more than 1,700 hours of support to families through our Befriending service.
"At the women’s prison HMP Downview in the diocese, Pact’s Programme Manager Maria, arranged a special Mothers’ Day spa time for some of the mums in prison to help reduce the anxiety and loneliness experienced on this otherwise special occasion. The women received hair and beauty treatments carried out by prisoners training for hair and beauty qualifications. Many of the mums invited only have postal contact with their children so it was hugely beneficial for their emotional wellbeing to share and celebrate with other mums in similar circumstances.
"Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs reports, ‘I rarely feel so privileged as I do when I hear about someone Pact has helped, who has said they didn't think help would be available to 'somebody like me'. To be able to make a difference, to offer hope, and to show that somebody cares, is the greatest gift we can give.’
"Following the end of the 2022-3 financial year, we received an amazing £27,837 of Prisoners’ Sunday donations from parishioners in the diocese. Thank you to everyone who so generously donated money or remembered prisoners and their families in prayer. You have made a difference to many people.
"Bishop Richard is the Liaison Bishop for Prisons on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference. Pact works closely with Bishop Richard and we would like to express our gratitude for his support and encouragement for our work as well as his wonderful ministry to those in prison in the diocese.
"This year, Pact is marking 125 years of helping people who so often have had nobody else, and who may have felt that they are not worth helping. Prisoners’ Sunday will be on 8th October. We humbly request your continued prayers and financial contributions where possible. ‘Remember those in prison as though you were bound with them.’ Hebrews 13:3.
"In the meantime, you can stay in touch with our work by signing up to receive our quarterly Fresh Start newsletter. If you have some time to give, we offer opportunities to put faith into action as a volunteer with Pact. You can explore whether this is for you at one of our Justpeople small group workshops, led by Pact’s Marie Norbury."
There are a range of ways you can keep in touch with Pact, find out more about their work, or perhaps volunteer with the charity:
The image was taken at HMP Send: credit Andy Aitchison
