Prison Chaplaincy

Prison chaplaincy is a positive response to the words of Jesus in Luke 4 to “proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and the oppressed, recovery of sight to the blind and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” This happens through pastoral care, practical help, services of worship and additional programmes that offer spiritual support.

Through the Council for Mission in Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland seeks to provide a chaplaincy service within prisons, as well as to prison leavers following release by way of ongoing spiritual support and signposting to services. There are Presbyterian Prison chaplains operating in several prisons in Ireland including Hydebank Wood, Maghaberry and Magilligan in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Prison Service, and also Mountjoy in Dublin.

Beyond 

A recent development is the ‘BEYOND’ scheme, which seeks to continue the support prison leavers have received behind the walls through ongoing provision of chaplaincy beyond the gate. This is led by Rev Graham Stockdale, who also serves as Presbyterian Prison Chaplain in HMP Maghaberry.