Supporting hope behind bars

Mothers’ Union is proud to be a sponsor of Prisons Week, and we encourage you to join us in prayer as we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy and support the work local MU members are doing in prisons across Britain and Ireland. This work takes many shapes depending on local needs, permissions and partnerships, and is carried out by our members and volunteers.  

Much of our work focuses on supporting families affected by the prison system. When a parent or family member is given a prison sentence, the consequences often extend far beyond the prison walls. Families can experience emotional trauma, social stigma, financial hardship, and significant disruption to everyday life. Relationships may suffer or break down due to separation or limited contact. For the people left behind, imprisonment can feel like a sentence of its own - a long and difficult journey for the entire family. 

MU members seek to bring hope behind bars with initiatives that support families affected by the prison system. Volunteers staff visitors’ centres, offering a welcoming, low-stress space for families visiting loved ones in prisons. Support groups, workshops and family days are arranged to deepen connections, educate on what to expect on visits, and offer meaningful time together. Family days are often more relaxed, with more quality interactions than typical visiting sessions. In some prisons, MU supports schemes to help children and parents in prison share books and bond through storytelling, helping sustain a shared experience and memory.

Practical needs are met with ‘release bags’ including clothing, toiletries and vouchers, Christmas and Easter cards and gifts are shared, and birthing and baby packs provided for mothers. These packs don’t just show relational care but also demonstrate faith in action. Chaplains and pastoral support are also provided to offer spiritual care, listening and community. In some prisons, members lead or support worship services and prayer groups. There is even a Mothers’ Union branch in HM Low Newton women’s prison, running worship services, offering tea and conversation, and building trust for women serving prison sentences to feel seen, heard and supported.  

If you are interested in finding out more about prisons work in your local diocese, you can contact them here.  

Prayer points 

Prisons Week have curated their own prayers for the week, which can be found here.  Alternatively, you can use the prayer points below for individual prayers or with a group.  

• Pray for people in prison – ask God to meet them with hope, healing and a sense of dignity. Pray that they experience forgiveness from themselves and others.  
• Pray for families separated by prison – ask God to strengthen family bonds during separation and provide paths for reconnection. Pray for caregivers, often grandparents or single parents, for energy, support and peace.  
• Pray for MU volunteers and prison chaplains – for compassion, wisdom and endurance as they serve in prison. Ask for open doors, trusting relationships and reminders of God’s love.  
• Pray for restoration and transformation - for opportunities of growth and reconciliation. Ask God to break cycles of violence, addition or despair. Pray for access to education, parenting programmes and initiatives that honour both victim and offender.   
• Pray for prison staff and systems – for the safety and well-being of prison officers, governors, social works and volunteers. Pray for mercy, justice and systematic changes.  

Jesus, You came to set captives free in both spirit and in truth. Let Your work be done even behind bars. Amen.