church and public issues - archive
criminal justice
Churches' Criminal Justice Forum
The Churches' Criminal Justice Forum (CCJF) was set up in 2001 and is a network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. The primary purpose of the CCJF is to uphold Christian values in the field of criminal justice. It does this by sharing information about Christian-based activities and criminal justice initiatives, raising awareness of community justice concerns in local churches, engaging with politicians and developing dialogue on criminal justice with other faiths.
CCJF has its own membership structure for church denominations and Christian service providers, consistent with its purposes and objectives. Twice yearly network meetings are open to all CCJF members, while project work is guided by an executive committee composed of church representatives.
Prisons Week
Prisons week has existed for over 30 years. It is run by a broad alliance of Christian denominations and leading faith based charities working in the criminal justice system. It aims to encourage prayer for the needs of prisoners, as well as assist with regional and local events to raise the profile of criminal justice issues and the role of faith communities.
Prisons Week 16-22 November 2014
The theme for 2014 is 'Building Hope'. Suicides in custody have risen by 69% in the last year and incidents of self-harm in prison are also sadly on the increase. The Prisons Week alliance of charities calls on churches to help 'build hope' in deeply troubled circumstances.
Find out more details from the Prisons Week website .
There is a separate Prisoners Week in Scotland - see www.prisonersweekscotland.org.uk
Interrogating overrepresentation of black people in prisons
Sat 21 Nov 2014, 2-5PM, Chapel, Westminster Central Hall
Symposium exploring the reasons for the acute over-representation of black people in British prisons, and with the General Elections next year looming church leaders plan to make their findings clear to all parties for greater political awareness and action on an issue that has long affected black communities in the UK. Pre booking required by email
Church service
Sat 22 Nov 2014, 5-7pm, Christ Faith Tabernacle Cathedral, Woolwich, London SE18 6NL
A church service with the theme of 'Interrogating overrepresentation of black people in prisons'. Speakers include Dr R David Muir, Pastor Nims Obunge and Dr Martin Glynn. All welcome. See http://www.cftchurches.org/ for directions.
Joint faiths advisory board on criminal justice
In Scotland, the Joint Faiths Advisory Board on Criminal Justice works with Action of Churches Together in Scotland .
What Can I Do?
A guide to volunteering in the criminal justice system from PACT (2005):
Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office
Community Chaplaincy
The web site of the newly formed Community Chaplaincy Association provides a focal point for sharing resources and information about local Community Chaplaincy projects.