Diocese of Winchester

Jade, the Church Army Community Prison Chaplain for HMP Winchester has been in touch with news of what she’s been doing over the last month, and requests some important items to be kept in our prayers over the next couple of months.

Jade writes that due to a promotion, HMP Winchester has once again lost it’s number one Governor, so there is now a wait whilst applications are sought and selection made for a replacement.

Jade and her team have just finished another week of SORI (Supporting Offenders through Restoration Inside) which was attended by 13 men, and the encouragement of many new community representatives attending the Thursday Presentation afternoon. For more information about SORI please look back at previous entries about Jade’s work at HMP Winchester.

Jade was also able to dedicate a whole week to the men in the category C (Westhill and Hearne) areas of the prison, speaking to several of them (one to one) about family concerns and others things that troubled them. She also had a chance to get to know some of the uniformed staff in that area, and hopes that she was able to support them in their work.

Jade has also been able to talk in a local school during the Winchester Hat Fair. In response to questions about whether and how we should care for prisoners, she talked about how God created each of us and loves each of us equally, how important it is for us not to judge, and how people in prison may have done some bad things, but still need to be cared for themselves.

There are increasing numbers of men going to Sunday Chapel Services and on July 16th several of them will be taking another step in their faith journey by being confirmed.

Please pray:

• for the selection and appointment of a new senior Governor at HMP Winchester, and that this person might be a Christian;
• the uniformed and chaplaincy staff in their specific areas of work, particularly with the impact of being a Governor short at present;
• in thanks and praise for the men who took part in the recent SORI week;
• for Jade and her family to have a really good holiday in August.