Bishop David celebrated Mass at Northampton Cathedral on Sunday 8 October, for Prisoners Sunday. Northampton Cathedral was one of eight Cathedrals hosting Prisoner Sunday Masses. Also in attendance to talk to parishioners was Theresa Allesandro, who works with PACT.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) is a UK-based charity organization that provides support and services to prisoners, their families, and ex-offenders. PACT’s mission is to help people affected by imprisonment, both during their time in prison and after release, to reduce reoffending and build stronger communities.
Here are some of the key services and initiatives offered by the Prison Advice and Care Trust:
- Support for Prisoners: PACT offers support and guidance to prisoners inside the prison system. This includes assistance with issues such as rehabilitation, family contact, and preparing for release.
- Support for Families: PACT recognizes the impact of imprisonment on families and provides support to families of prisoners. This can include information, advice, and practical assistance to maintain contact with their loved ones and cope with the challenges they face.
- Community Reintegration: PACT works to support ex-offenders as they transition back into the community after serving their sentences. This can include assistance with finding housing, employment, and accessing necessary services.
- Restorative Justice: PACT is involved in restorative justice initiatives, which aim to facilitate communication and understanding between victims and offenders. This process can help both parties heal and find closure.
- Advocacy and Policy Work: PACT engages in advocacy and policy work to promote positive changes in the criminal justice system and advocate for the rights and well-being of prisoners and their families.
- Volunteer Programs: The organization relies on volunteers to deliver many of its services. They recruit and train volunteers to work with prisoners, their families, and ex-offenders.
PACT plays a crucial role in addressing the social and practical challenges faced by individuals and families affected by imprisonment, and it contributes to efforts to reduce reoffending rates and support successful reintegration into society. Please note that specific services and programs may vary over time, so it’s a good idea to visit PACT’s official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their activities and services.
Bishop David said “Every single person is created in the image and likeness of God. That’s what gives us our worth. Because of the fall, we struggle to appreciate this mystery, the dying and rising of Jesus enables us to have a living relationship with the Blessed Trinity. This is the basis for our vision of hope”.
In our diocese we have six prisons served by PACT and Bishop David recognised the impact of the work they do with prisoners and their families. In our country there are 100,000 children who have a parent in prison and in the UK we incarcerate more people per capita than in any other country in western Europe.