Jail and Prison Ministry

Jail and prison ministries serve as a resource for parishes and faithful by providing information and ministry opportunities for clergy and laity in correctional institutions within the borders of the diocese.

Jail and prison ministries also seek to promote restorative justice through its programs and services.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR JAIL AND PRISON MINISTRY

Did you know that inmates in the prisons in N.J. have not had Catholic religious services since March of 2020 due to COVID restrictions? That’s more than two years without seeing a priest, receiving Holy Communion, or going to the Sacrament of Confession.

The prisons are gradually reopening to pastoral visitors, but many of our long-time volunteers have passed away, retired, or moved away. We need to rebuild the ministry. There is urgent need for Priests, Deacons, Lay Ministers of the Eucharist, and possibly RCIA Instructors.

If you feel called to explore this opportunity to serve, please contact Peter Haas, Coordinator of Jail and Prison Ministry at 609-403-7198 (office) or by email at phaas@dioceseoftrenton.org. 

What is Restorative Justice?

The purpose of restorative justice is to heal and restore both the victim and the offender. The current penal law’s retributive model of justice separates the victim from the offender, pitting them against each other.

Restorative justice seeks to empower the offender in owning responsibility for the criminal action. This form of justice is seen as integrated and whole and is based on mercy and love instead of perpetuating the current retributive model of justice as punishment.

• directs pastoral and sacramental ministry to incarcerated men and women
• educates the parishioners of the diocese on the nature of incarceration as well as the needs of prisoners and their families
• recruits and trains clergy and lay contract and volunteer ministers
• advocates for the rights of the incarcerated
• lobbies with civic and community leaders for a more just and humane correctional system
• maintains an extensive library of books, articles and videos
• works with CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants) (www.curenational.org)