Prison ministry

The Latest

With a lifelong Catholic at the helm, Oregon eyes prison reform

Apr 10, 2019

By Perry West

The head of the Oregon prison system is looking to make significant changes to the way the state views punishment,... Read more

In Vancouver, prison ministry volunteers help change lives

Apr 10, 2019

A former inmate in Canada credits volunteers and staff members working in prison ministry in the Archdiocese of Vancouver with... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with personnel from the “Regina Coeli” prison Feb. 7, 2019.

Treat inmates with compassion, Pope Francis urges prison staff

Feb 7, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Often spaces of suffering, prisons should be places of hope and the possibility of redemption, Pope Francis told prison personnel... Read more

The Benedict XVI Institute's schola with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Father Cassian outside San Quentin State Prison, Aug. 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Benedict XVI Institute.

Benedict XVI Institute At San Quentin

Aug 15, 2018

By Mary Farrow

When the Benedict XVI Institute in San Francisco formed a choir to teach Gregorian chant and sacred music to interested... Read more

Possible merging of sentencing reform with prison bill draws praise

Aug 7, 2018

The largest global Christian prison ministry is applauding reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to include... Read more

For chaplain, prison visits are about bringing Jesus – and meeting him

May 8, 2018

When Fr. Juan Carlos Cagliani goes on prison visits, he is not only seeking to bring Christ to the inmates,... Read more

Confirmation.

Bishop confirms 15 inmates at Mexican prison visited by Pope Francis

May 8, 2018

Bishop José Guadalupe Torres Campos of Ciudad Juárez, in Chihuahua state, Mexico, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 15 inmates... Read more

For former inmates, returning to society comes with challenges

Mar 29, 2018

By Courtney Mares

For the fourth time in his pontificate, Pope Francis will wash the feet of inmates at a prison on Holy... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Female Central Penitentiary in Santiago, Chile, Jan. 16, 2018.

Bars don't stop your ability to dream, Pope says at Chilean women's prison

Jan 16, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis visited a women's prison in Santiago on Tuesday, telling the inmates that while at times it might seem... Read more

Nearly 80 prisoners baptized in Argentina

Dec 8, 2017

Seventy-eight prisoners were baptized, confirmed, and received their First Holy Communion in an Argentine prison Dec. 1.  Read more

How visiting prisoners can change your life (and theirs)

Aug 31, 2017

Sometimes people surprise us for the better.  Read more

We must speak, act more on criminal justice reform, Christian leaders insist

Jun 21, 2017

By Matt Hadro

With the justice system rife with abuse, there is still much work to be done to call the faithful to... Read more

Pope Francis kisses the feet of an inmate at Paliano prison during Holy Thursday Mass April 13.

You can show God's love even behind bars, Pope Francis tells inmates

Apr 13, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis spent Holy Thursday washing the feet of inmates, telling them in a brief homily that God is someone... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his March 11, 2015 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

In new interview, Pope says to never give up hope for conversion

Apr 13, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has given an interview ahead of his Holy Thursday visit to a prison, warning, among other things, against... Read more

Conditions lamented as seven Argentine inmates die in fire

Mar 9, 2017

The deaths of seven inmates in a fire at a police station in Pergamino, Argentina has brought renewed criticisms of... Read more

The letter that Pope Francis wrote to a young mother in prison.

Pope Francis wrote a letter to this young mother in prison

Dec 30, 2016

A prison inmate in Chile was surprised when she received a letter this summer from Pope Francis, whom she had... Read more

Pilgrims with Our Lady of Guadalupe at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, March 30, 2016.

Virgin of Guadalupe visits women in LA jail

Dec 2, 2016

The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe made its way through the narrow halls of the Century Regional Women Detention... Read more

Prisoners serve at Mass with Pope Francis Nov. 6, 2016, for the Jubilee of Prisoners.

During jubilee for prisoners, Pope tells inmates not to lose hope

Nov 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday, Pope Francis held a special Mass held for prisoners inside St. Peter’s Basilica, telling them that while paying... Read more

Cardinal Nichols reminds Catholics: prisoners are part of the Church too

Sep 6, 2016

Urging the Catholic Church to work for prison reform, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster stressed the need to ensure that... Read more

Prison inmates in Argentina paint statue of Virgin Mary

Jul 7, 2016

A local bishop in Argentina blessed a statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which had been recently painted... Read more