Chaplaincy Profile
Holloway Prison Chaplaincy By Jo Siedlecka
Holloway Prison is a plain-looking 1970s redbrick building set back on Camden Road, north London. Inside, around 600 women prisoners, in their late teens, twenties and thirties are waiting on remand or serving out sentences, mostly for drugs-related crimes such as trafficking, theft or shoplifting. After the riots there were several new arrivals. Sister Kathleen Diamond, from the Holy Family of Bordeaux order, has been chaplain for about 15 years. She works closely with Spanish Sisters who come in every Monday, Fr Paul O’Reilly SJ, who celebrates Sunday Mass, and Anglican, Salvation Army, Russian Orthodox, Pentecostal, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist clergy. A major difference between this prison and those for men is that some of the women will be pregnant or have babies with them. Many will also have been the main family carers and have children at home. Chaplaincy Chaplains have a statutory duty to meet all new arrivals within 24 hours. “Some days there’s less than ten sometimes over 20. I give them a leaflet telling them about the activities we run. Then I’ll ask whether their families know they’re here and do they have children, that sort of thing. Next we have to visit people in the segregation block, and those in Sr Kathleen at Holloway Women’s Prison the healthcare unit. There is a huge incidence of mental illness in prison. Besides the statutory duties £10.50 a week. In the afternoon Many of them really shouldn’t Kathleen believes her main job is to there are classes, exercise groups, be here.” be a listening ear, to walk alongside and various meetings. Lockup is at people as they struggle to cope with 8pm. Cells have up to six women. often desperate situations and to Each has a bed, locker, toilet, television (with varying reception) pray with them if they wish. and their own radios. Sr Kathleen Many women come into prison with said: “They do a lot of reading and severe drug problems. All drug users are put on a ten-day methadone- writing letters. They can receive ereducing programme and then can mails printed out from the main go onto a further three week office but can’t send them out.” CARATS programme. The process is Education physically and emotionally very One day a week from 1.45 – 4.30, Sr painful. Around this time they need Kathleen holds a long session, a great deal of support. viewing an educational video or having a reflective meditation. She Mothers and Babies Holloway has a pregnant mother said: “Sometimes I show them a and baby unit. Women are allowed Russian doll, with a smaller and to keep the babies with them for smaller one inside. I tell them no nine months. “There are some matter how battered and bruised prisons which allow them to keep you are – they can’t touch that.” them for 18 months but there aren’t “I love the work. With prisoners always enough places. It is a great there is no putting on a front. What source of distress for them.” you see is what you get. You are a The women’s day begins at 7.30 human being and deserve respect. It with breakfast. Then it’s off to is different from parish work. Many various jobs, cleaning, gardening, women here were primary carers kitchen work. Prisoners get £2.50 a and they are now separated from week allowance, and can earn up to their children which is a great
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Westminster Record November 2011
You are a human being and deserve respect.
concern to them. But for some, a spell in prison is a very helpful respite. It can help them find themselves, get healthier, more confident and sort themselves out.” One success story is a woman called Gina, who recently won a Pride of Britain award. While in Holloway she learnt floristry and now runs three shops. When she came to give a talk recently she told the women that she had met Prince Charles and attended the Royal Wedding. Unfortunately the training programme she took, as well as several others, has now been cut. Christmas Christmas is a sad time for prisoners as they don’t get to see their families and are unable to give them presents. Sr Kathleen said: “No public money is allowed to be spent for Christmas, but we have competition to see who has got the best decorated wing. They come up with some very imaginative ideas.” Westminster Record readers might be interested in taking part in the Angel Tree project which gives small presents to prisoners’ children, with a card signed by their mother. (see the end of this article for details). She said: “On 14 December there is a special ecumenical carol service which the women love. The Salvation Army band comes to play and a prisoners’ choir leads the carol singing. Several charities, including the Mothers Union provide a small gift for each woman – a soap and flannel, bar of chocolate maybe and a diary.” Speaking to Westminster Record readers, St Kathleen said: “Its important not to be judgmental of someone who has been in prison. You don’t know how you would react in some of the situations these women have found themselves in. If you know someone in your parish who has been in prison, make them feel welcome.”
Prisoners’ Week Prisoners' Week takes place in the last week of November. The initiative was started by Bishop Victor Guazzelli, in 1975, and is now supported by all denominations. The primary aim is to pray for and raise awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care. 2011 Prisons Week Prayer:
Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, Prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the activities of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another. To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in His strength and in His Spirit, now and every day. Amen. For information on the Angel Tree and more ways in which you can support prisoners see: www.prisonfellowship.org.uk tel: 01621 843232. PACT – the Prisoners Advice and Care Trust www.prisonadvice.org.uk/
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