Prison Chaplaincy
In the early days of the Quaker movement many Friends were imprisoned for their radical beliefs. Some Friends were imprisoned in the twentieth century too, as conscientious objectors to military service. Perhaps because of this, there remains a continuing concern for prisoners and the conditions in prisons.
This historic Quaker concern for prisons continues today through the contribution of Quakers working within prison chaplaincy teams. At present, over ninety prisons in Britain benefit from a Quaker Prison Chaplain (QPC)
"It is they who teach me so much"
"Chaplains are often welcomed as being different from the officers, to be trusted with the whole range of human experiences and emotions – this is a daunting task that draws on emotional and physical resources as well as spiritual. However, it is enormously satisfying to know that each visit, each conversation, is so valued by the men here and that they are so truly grateful for our time and care."
"Of great surprise to them is that these meetings are almost always the most profound and meaningful parts of my spiritual practice. It is they who teach me so much about life and the Spirit, it really is the most blessed service to carry out on behalf of Quakers." - a QPC
"I love the work. I hope to use the gold cards to explain what a Quaker is. I've had a few porridge comments so I've made a badge with the Quaker Oats man on it and the words - Quakers. More than a pile of porridge. It gets a laugh and starts a conversation" - A current QPC
Quakers’ engagement in prison chaplaincy draws inspiration from individual Friends like Elizabeth Fry (1780–1845), who expressed a growing concern about the conditions of women and children in Newgate Gaol, and worked tirelessly to change and reform the conditions and treatment of prisoners.
“She would always see hope for everyone and invariable found or made some point of light” - Priscilla Buxton 1847.
"Everyone is born lovable, sociable, non-violent"
HMP Isle of Wight is composed of 2 sites, Albany and Parkhurst. Over the years Quakers have been represented in these by a Psychiatrist, Quaker Chaplains, Prison visitors and on the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). Psychiatrist Dr Robert Johnson believed that everyone is born “Lovable, Sociable and Non-Violent” and that through “Truth, Trust and Consent” solutions and change are possible. Quakers who now go into Prisons uphold these believes and values and reflect “that of God in everyone”.
There are always opportunities for Quakers to become involved in volunteering within the prison system by supporting the Quaker Chaplain, becoming a prison visitor or being on the Independent Monitoring Board and upholding those in roles in Meeting for Worship.
We are grateful to Koestler Arts for the images on this page. Koestler Arts is the UK’s best-known prison arts charity, working to encourage people in the criminal justice system to change their lives by participating in the arts. They aim to help prisoners, secure patients and detainees lead more positive lives, and to increase public awareness and understanding of the arts by people in the criminal justice system.