Mission Statement

The Prison Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is motivated by the Gospel imperative in Matthew 25.36;

“I was in prison and you visited me,” The Committee advocates for restorative justice, interfaith programs, and personal healing for prisoners, their families, and communities.

Prison Pen Pal

Many long-term prisoners receive neither visits nor mail. Letter writing is a much-needed outreach that requires a minimal amount of volunteer time, and really helps to lift the recipient’s spirits. This is an opportunity for ministry for people of all ages and abilities, and is, in fact a type of pastoral visit.

The volunteer “pen pal” decides how often to write and whether or not to continue the correspondence. Training is offered to the volunteers, and the prisoners who receive letters are given guidelines for appropriate topics for correspondence.

Mail is returned to the volunteers via a post office address and not directly to their homes. The Prison Ministry forwards the mail to the volunteer’s church or home.

Prison Bible Study

Prison Ministry leads a Bible study at Northern State Prison in Newark, on Wednesday evenings. We share the Good News of God’s love for all of God’s creation with the men who are incarcerated.

Curriculum and training are provided for volunteers through the Committee. Volunteers are asked to commit to two Wednesdays a month to help build continuity and a positive relationship with the prisoners.

Each volunteer must be cleared by the State prior to entry into the prison.

Prison Ministry and OAR

Prison Ministry partners with Offender Aid and Restoration in Irvington (OAR).

OAR helps ex-offenders get back on their feet through a variety of services. Volunteers are needed to teach life skills and computers literacy, help with general office work, and volunteer in the Patch Program.

PATCH – Parents and their Children

PATCH works with children of incarcerated parents in three main areas: the Holiday Gift Program,

Summer camperships, and Mentoring (Learning By Experience program).

ü  Holiday Gifts

Your parish can help make the holidays a little brighter by collecting new gifts for children whose parents are imprisoned.

We gladly accept the gifts you or your parish has collected, and distribute them to needy families. PATCH also collects gifts for the caregivers of the children.

ü  Summer Campership

Summer camp gives children a nurturing environment in which to develop values and leadership skills, to make friends, and to learn more about themselves in the world that God created. Our Prison Ministry Committee invites your parish to sponsor one or more children for camp, or to serve as a mentor during their camp experience.

We also offer respite care for the children’s caregivers. Your parish can sponsor an adult for a week away while the children they care for are at camp.

ü  Learning By Experience

The Saturday Mentoring Program is held year-round. It helps children and youth develop the tools and skills they need for healthy relationships. Volunteers receive training.

Holiday Choir

Sing in the Christmas season with a holiday concert. Singers are asked to commit to two rehearsals. The concert is held at a local jail.

Restorative Justice Sunday

One of the most effective tools in advocacy is public awareness. At the 135th Convention of the Diocese of Newark, the third Sunday of November was proclaimed as the annual Restorative Justice Sunday.

The purpose is to raise public awareness of incarcerated men and women; to encourage congregations to explore the causes and consequences of crime; and to pray for solutions that are just for all.

Restorative justice is not a new concept but a challenging one which Jesus himself modeled for us. Why not

invite a speaker to your congregation to learn more about incarceration and its effects on society? Our Committee will be happy to assist you.

Materials are also available from the Prison Ministry Committee to congregations that are interested in incorporating this model into their parish life.

For contact information:

Or call: 973-235-1177 (Grace Church in Nutley)

Committee Members: Brenda Beavers-Simpson, Chair; the Rev. Pamela Bakal, President; the Rev. Audrey Hasselbrook, Secretary; the Rev. Kathleen Ballard, Treasurer; Members: Saundra Addison-Britto, the Rev. Christian Carroll, Tim Evans, Tom Fowler, Paul Forste, Dorothy Fowlkes, James Hopkins, Ruth Mayes, Jim McCallum, Jim McGreevey, the Rev. Joanne O’Neill, the Ven. Liz Ostuni, Larry Ostuni, John Vine, Laura Wood.

Revised 10/10