“Pact gave me hope when I thought I would never be able to see my son in prison. They were like a light in what was a really dark time.”   – Mother in custody

We are Pact

Pact, Prison Advice and Care Trust, is a pioneering national Catholic charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families. Our staff and volunteers provide caring and life-changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process: in court, in prison, on release, and in the community. Pact’s vision is of a society that understands justice as a process of restoration and healing, that uses prisons sparingly and as places of learning and rehabilitation, and that values the innate dignity and worth of every human being.

“When prisoners are poorly treated, the Church must act as a critical stakeholder and vanguard of prison reform.” Dr Chijioke Nwalozie Pact’s 2023 Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture

Our President
His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Our Vice President
Archbishop John Wilson

Our CEO
Andy Keen-Downs

Our Faith in Action Team
Theresa Alessandro
Marie Norbury

Website: www.prisonadvice.org.uk

Email: parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk

Why are we here?

‘I was in prison, and you visited me’ Matthew 25: 36

Our mission is to support prisoners and their families to make a fresh start and to minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment on people with convictions, on children, families and on communities.

‘This work is a direct expression of our discipleship and a very concrete expression of our desire to serve the Lord in those who are most vulnerable.’
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Pact President

Our values are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching

• Human Dignity: we respect the innate dignity and worth of every human being, believing in the possibility of their rehabilitation and redemption, no matter what they have done.
• Common Good: we are innovative, developing models of working and best practice which may be mainstreamed by HMPPS and others to help build safer communities for everyone.
• Solidarity: we believe in walking alongside those affected by imprisonment for whom life may be unbearably difficult but who are nevertheless part of ‘us’
• Subsidiarity: we consult and involve prisoners and their families; we work with volunteers and community and faith-based organisations; we harness the goodwill, skills and energies of like-minded people.

“Prison is a place where love is needed most.”
Family member of someone in prison

How can you help?

Your parish or group can join a vibrant community of Pact supporters who share common values and a desire to help prisoners, people with convictions and their families to make a fresh start.

Pact’s Faith in Action team works with Catholic communities in dioceses, parishes, networks and organisations across England & Wales. We raise awareness of what life is like for prisoners and their families and offer opportunities to put faith into action.

• Be a Pact Parish Representative, keeping prisoners and their families in the hearts and minds of the community: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/parish-representative
• Mark Prisoners’ Sunday on 13 October 2024. Pray for, and with, people affected by the criminal justice system. Perhaps organise a collection to support Pact’s work: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisoners-sunday
• Reflect more deeply on Catholic Social Teaching and the Common Good through the lens of the criminal justice system at a JustPeople workshop: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/justpeople-workshops

Volunteer with Pact. We offer full training and support: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/volunteer

“A volunteer from Pact helped us before sentencing. She told us what to bring to court, what prison he was likely to go to, what to pack in a bag for him, how to make sure our phone numbers were on his prison PIN so he could call us – loads of things I hadn’t thought of. My mind was so frazzled I don’t think I would have managed on my own.”
A defendant’s family member

• Support Pact’s work financially: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/donate

“Myself and my wife have supported Pact since the 1980s. Their annual report has always convinced us that they made excellent use of our money. Last year our relationship with Pact changed considerably when our son went to prison. We met Pact on our first visit to prison to see our son. I find Pact people have a human touch and a gentleness. That is what I look for in such an organisation. I associate Pact with positive change for prisoners in our society. I suggest you consider putting them on your list of people to support or add to the amount you give them already.”
An Individual Donor

Prisoners’ Families Helpline

Call 0808 808 2003

Website: www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

On behalf of HMPPS we manage the national Prisoners’ Families Helpline. Our staff and volunteers respond to more than 2,800 calls per month.

“The support I received was tailored to me and my needs. The team that dealt with me showed genuine empathy and understanding for my plight.”
Helpline caller