Prisons Week 2023

8th - 14th October

Prisons Week seeks to raise awareness of and to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons. In addition, in the Diocese of Llandaff we use it has an opportunity to change the conversation around prisons and other marginalised groups, and how those groups are welcomed into the life of the church.

There are five prisons and two custodial units for children in Wales. In contrast to the recent decline across England and Wales generally, the number of people held in prisons in Wales has gradually increased since 2010. Between 2010 and 2016, the prison population in Wales increased by 23%. The number of people held in Welsh prisons was 4,291 at the end of April 2018.

Whilst this can largely be attributed to the phased opening of HMP Berwyn, Wales does however perform particularly poorly in incarnation rates. Wales consistently records a higher rate of imprisonment than England – 150 Welsh prisoners per 100,000 compared to 137 English (2018 figures)

Politically, and in terms of prison governance, Wales is in a unique position. Criminal justice is currently not a devolved matter, meaning Westminster remains responsible for criminal justice in Wales. However, there is a growing call for justice to be devolved. In 2019 a review of the Welsh justice system was published by the Commission on Justice in Wales, chaired by the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. It’s overwhelming recommendation was the devolution of policing and criminal justice to the Senedd.

Psalm 19.1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands”

The theme for Prisons Week 2023 is 'Look Up Child'.

There are times when we feel distant or doubt God’s presence in our lives, even crying out in anger or sadness “Where are you now?” But he has promised never to leave us and as we search for truth, love, purpose or forgiveness, there comes the response asking us to “look up”. For centuries Christians learned to pray through the Psalms, the sacred poems and prayers written from the heights and depths of human experience and emotions; despair, loss, anger, betrayal, abandonment, guilt, suffering, confusion, hope, joy, wonder, thanks and praise.

When we are weighed down by life, we don’t necessarily have to bow our heads to pray. We can look up to know our heavenly Father’s loving gaze on us. We can look up and see his presence in the wonder of creation and the living world. Whenever and wherever we call or cry out in prayer, “look up child” is the response from a loving God who is always ready to hear, whose faithful love reaches out to us through Jesus and off ers us forgiveness and hope, all of our days.

Leaflets

Every Ministry Area in the Diocese of Llandaff will be sent physical copies of the Prisons Week 2023 leaflets. Physical copies have also been sent to each diocese within the Church in Wales, and the chaplaincy teams of every prison. If for any reason you haven't received a copy and would like one, please contact Christoph Auckland, Outreach and Social Justice Lead at the Diocese of Llandaff, at christophauckland@churchinwales.org.uk. You can find digital copies of the English and Welsh versions of the leaflet below.:

There are five prisons and two custodial units for children in Wales. In contrast to the recent decline across England and Wales generally, the number of people held in prisons in Wales has gradually increased since 2010. Between 2010 and 2016, the prison population in Wales increased by 23%. The number of people held in Welsh prisons was 4,291 at the end of April 2018.

Whilst this can largely be attributed to the phased opening of HMP Berwyn, Wales does however perform particularly poorly in incarnation rates. Statistics from 2017 show that the incarceration rate within Wales is higher than that of England – 154 per 100,000 compared to 141 per 100,000. This means that Wales has the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe. In 2017, 61% of all Welsh prisoners were being held in prisons in Wales and 39% in England.

Politically, and in terms of prison governance, Wales is in a unique position. Criminal justice is currently not a devolved matter, meaning Westminster remains responsible for criminal justice in Wales. However, there is a growing call for justice to be devolved. In 2019 a review of the Welsh justice system was published by the Commission on Justice in Wales, chaired by the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. It’s overwhelming recommendation was the devolution of policing and criminal justice to the Senedd.