About
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.
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.
The Jail and Prison Ministry is in critical need for the support of our Parishioners to share their faith through religious education, prayer and reflection with those who are incarcerated in our New Jersey State Prisons. At this time, the prisons are not allowing volunteers to visit. Please check back to see if things have changed.