Prison Chaplains
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Chaplaincy and Faith Services provides chaplains for all prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales in partnership with faith and belief communities through a network of national advisers. HMPPS is a part of the Ministry of Justice.
Chaplaincy and Faith Services are led by the Chaplain General/Head of Faith Services and Archdeacon to Prisons, who has responsibility for all faith and belief traditions. The responsibilities of the Chaplain General and his multi-faith headquarters team includes giving advice to [government] ministers and officials about policy decisions with a religious or faith dimension. The headquarters team also develops operational guidance on the practice of faith and belief in prison through a network of faith and belief advisers who also endorse all chaplains. The team regularly visits every prison to provide assurance that chaplaincy services are being delivered to a high standard in accordance with Prison Service Instructions and the expectations of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons.
Chaplains are recruited, trained, deployed and supported in their work of providing for the religious needs of all those in prison, giving opportunities for worship, formation and instruction and offering a pastoral ministry to prisoners and staff at times of crisis and opportunity. Chaplains are also involved in enabling the observance of all faith and belief traditions as part of multi-faith teams.
It is an exciting and privileged ministry and the Anglican Advisor has oversight for all day to day matters relating to Anglicanism in HMPPS and should be the first point of contact. She is available to anyone interested in considering becoming a prison chaplain; contact details are below.
The Bishop to Prisons: Rt Revd Rachel Treweek (Bishop of Gloucester)
Chaplain General/Head of Faith Services: Ven James Ridge
Anglican and Headquarters Chaplaincy Advisor: Revd Helen Dearnley