The NBA Justice Hub is continuing to develop as a resource for churches and communities across the Northern Baptist Association. One area we want to highlight is the support of people leaving prison. This is not a simple area of ministry: imprisonment follows actions that may have caused real harm to victims and communities. At the same time, a Christian understanding of restorative justice holds accountability together with the possibility of hope, change and restoration. It recognises the suffering of victims while also acknowledging that many people in prison have experienced deeply difficult beginnings and need support if destructive cycles are to be broken.

 

Through Hazel’s work as a chaplain at HMP Northumberland, she has met prisoners who love Jesus and long for a different future. Many are working to overcome significant hurdles and hope to be accepted, valued and supported as they seek to rebuild their lives. The call to offer restoration and unconditional love sits at the heart of the gospel, and there are many ways churches and individuals can share that love — through prayer, practical support, and, where appropriate, sanctuary and friendship when someone is released.

 

One organisation offering a helpful framework for this work is The Welcome Directory, which supports faith and belief communities as they consider how to welcome people leaving prison safely and appropriately.

 

“At The Welcome Directory we believe that everybody deserves to belong. Our mission is to build a network of faith or belief communities across England and Wales with the capacity to offer appropriate and safe welcome for supporting people leaving prison.”

 

This will not be the right form of involvement for every church, and there are many different ways to offer support. However, churches are encouraged to watch the video and visit The Welcome Directory website to explore whether this may be a helpful next step in their own context.