‍Pact is the national Catholic charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, their children and their families. They provide caring and life-changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process: in court, in prison, on release, and in the community.

‘It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction. This is true: I have come that they may have life and that abundantly’. These words, from the Advent Credo by Allan Boesak, were read at both Pact’s Advent Carol services this year.  

Among the congregation at both Farm Street Church in London and Sacred Heart Church in Carlton, Nottingham were people with lived experience of the criminal justice system; prison chaplains, Pact staff, trustees, volunteers, parish reps and supporters, as well as family and friends.

Bishop Richard Moth in London, and Bishop Patrick McKinney in Nottingham, welcomed everyone and spoke of compassion and new beginnings as Christian values that guide our work.  

The testimony of lived experience was a key part of each Service. Everything Pact does is informed by the voices of those who know what it is to be in prison, to feel isolated and excluded by the stigma of having a family member in prison, or to be desperately worried about a loved one inside who has a mental illness. The men who spoke at each event had some things in common - faith had given them the hope and grace, finally, to turn their lives around.

At Farm Street, Lewis read from Psalm 24, a text that had given him courage:

‘Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good’.

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David, speaking in Nottingham, had been back to prison many times. He explained that he had not been able to make a fresh start on his own, until he let God into his life.  

It is acknowledged that for a child, having a parent in prison is an Adverse Childhood Experience which can, and does, affect the rest of the child’s life. Today, as Christmas approaches, there are more than 94,000 children in England & Wales who have a mum or dad in prison –  a number that is increasing. It is fitting that children and young people were part of Pact's Advent Services. The Sixth Form Choir of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School sang beautifully in London. Year Six children from Sacred Heart and Our Lady & St Edward's Catholic Voluntary Academies sang wonderfully in Nottingham too.

Among other advent carols, the congregation sang the words of the Magnificat, ‘He looks on me, he lifts me up and gladness fills my days.’ Pact used the Anne Carter version with the tune of Amazing Grace since that is the hymn so many prisoners turn to for strength and hope in what Lewis described as ‘the sometimes volatile environment of prison’.

Echoing Boesak’s Advent Credo, Pact CEO Andy Keen-Downs reported that this winter ‘will be bleak for a lot of people in prison, and in our society.’ Against a context of continuing restrictions in prison regimes due to the serious staffing crisis and increasing numbers of people held in prison, Andy affirmed:

‘At the heart of our work is a desire to uphold people’s dignity – to support women and men to cope with prison, to stay safe, and to use their time inside as well as possible, so that when they are released, they are focused on living good lives, and have the support they need to do so.’

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Bishop Richard urged Catholic people to consider how we are being called to respond to the needs of prisoners and their families. He encouraged Catholic communities to become more involved with the work of Pact - and after both Services people gathered to talk about what actions they could take in response to Jesus’ challenge, ‘I was in prison and you visited me’.

Pact walks alongside all those working to make a better world. In London, refreshments were prepared by The Clink based in Sutton who provide catering beyond the prison walls, giving prisoners the opportunity to gain experience and qualifications. In Nottingham, a feast was prepared by the wonderful Sacred Heart Community Café team. Please use this bidding prayer during Christmas liturgies where you are:

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Lord God, You sent your Son Jesus to bring light into the darkness. This Christmas we bring before you all those in prison, and their families. We pray that the light of Christ will fill their hearts with hope and that your love will sustain them through bleak and difficult times.

‍Pacts Carol Services were kindly supported by CCLA Investment Management so that all funds raised at the events can be directed to supporting our frontline work.

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Getting involved

Pact is ready to welcome a range of volunteers including Parish Reps, please contact Theresa Alessandro and Marie Norbury to find out more;

E: parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk. Donations or a legacy gifts are also very welcome, you can find out how to support Pact's work on their website here.

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Image ©farmstreetchurch