Prison Chaplaincy: Mission Statement

HL Deb 27 March 2000 vol 611 cc51-2WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the Prison Chaplaincy's official policy or mission statement. [HL1591]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The policy of the Prison Chaplaincy is to support the Prison Service's objectives of protecting the public by holding those committed by the courts in a safe, decent and healthy environment and to reduce crime by providing constructive regimes which address offending behaviour, improve educational and work skills and promote law abiding behaviour in custody and after release.

Its Mission Statement is that the Prison Chaplaincy serves the Kingdom of God and society through the pastoral care of all who live and work in prison, by proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacrament and furthering moral and spiritual values. This pastoral role includes facilitating the observance of religious practice by prisoners of other faiths.