Prison Ministry

Extending the hand of support

Our Prison Chaplains visit men and women in every prison and correctional centre in Victoria, offering emotional, spiritual and sacramental support.  

During prison visitation, Chaplains listen, connect, endeavour to understand and comfort people who may otherwise feel lost or abandoned. Our Prison Chaplains can also provide support to prisoners’ family members and/or significant people in their lives.

What services are offered?

Prison Chaplains can provide a range of supports including:

• personal visits to maximum, medium and minimum security prisons, as well as to people in solitary confinement
• confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental listening
• spiritual readings and symbols of the Catholic faith, such as crosses, bibles and rosary beads
• having someone to pray with you
• a weekly Catholic Mass and a weekly prayer service
• connecting you to other supports and services
• helping you through loss and grief
• help to adjust to new surroundings

Within the prison system and across the broader community, Prison Chaplains advocate for alternatives to incarceration. Our ministry seeks to promote the development and understanding of Restorative Justice, which focuses on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.

Our Prison Chaplains work as part of an interfaith network, working alongside chaplains from many other faith groups.

What are the benefits?

Having someone to walk with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, along your journey can help you to feel cared for, less alone and more empowered. 

Chaplaincy can contribute to prisoners’ rehabilitation and readiness to return to society.  

Eligibility

Our Prison Chaplains can support men and women in prison - and their families or significant others - regardless of their spiritual or religious belief or background.