About Prisoners Week Trust

The Prisoners Week Trust (SC043431) was set up in 2012, formalising Prisoners Week activities which have been running since the 1990s.

This year Prisoners Week runs from 19th to 25th November
The Prisoners Week theme for 2023 is
‘STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY’

Our vision is for a just and peaceful society where all people are cared for and supported be they prisoners, the families of prisoners, those released from prison or the victims of crime.  Through Prisoners Week we want to encourage action and support, particularly among communities of faith, for all those affected by imprisonment. 

 
 

Our plan is to raise awareness among communities of faith and involve organisations, groups and individuals who have an interest in Justice issues.

We do this by:

  • Encouraging sign-up to the Prisoners Week Charter for churches, groups and faith-based charities and organisations

  • Encouraging sign-up to the Prisoners Week Charter for non-faith-based charities and organisations

  • Distributing publicity through churches, faith communities and charities, and non-faith-based groups and organisations

  • Developing our website with information, a calendar of events, details of organisations that offer help and advice, reflections, worship resources and discussion ideas

  • Supporting events in partnership with Prison Chaplains and others, in communities and in prisons

  • Organising national events such as the ecumenical Launch Service, ‘Marketplace’ initiative, debates and other public events

  • Providing resources for use in worship including multi-media resources

  • Hosting the ‘Dignity Fund’ to provide for small but needed items

  • Engaging with various media representatives.

Planning Group

The Prisoners Week Planning Group meets on a regular basis each year to determine the theme and programme of events for the year.

This year the organisations involved include:

Prison Alpha, Bishopbriggs Community Church, Families Outside, Bethany Christian Trust, Prison Fellowship and several Prison Chaplains and Prisoners Week Trustees.

During Prisoners Week 2022, Chaplaincy Teams and their colleagues, are busy organising events in both prison and community, liaising with the media, preaching from pulpits, providing material for magazines, meeting community groups, visiting schools, hosting invited tours, and generally doing what can be done to highlight Prisoners Week!

Prisoners Week events also engage with prisoners, on the basis that not only is it good to remember those in prison, it is especially good if you are in custody, to know that you are being remembered.

Some prisons will have services to which the families of prisoners are invited, offering support also to the children and partners of those in custody. Activities in prison include quizzes, music events, and various meetings with invited speakers and guests from the community.

Whilst Prisoners Week is only one week in November each year, we prefer to think of it as a year-round Movement with many activities taking place under the Prisoners Week ‘banner’ throughout the year - those involved in prison ministry are happy to meet with community groups anytime!