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Prison Ministry & Criminal Justice
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The Office for Social Concerns coordinates efforts around criminal justsice issues. It also convenes prison ministers for gatherings, supports ARCH Reentry ministry, and promotes activities around the Church's call to end the use of the death penalty.
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Action Alerts
Contact our public officials. Make your voice heard.
Stop the Federal Executions
Prohibit the Death Penalty for Persons with Severe Mental Illness
Ohio Catholic Prison Ministry Leaders Issue Letter Regarding Ministry During COVID-19
Be in Solidarity with those in Prisons, Jails, Detention Centers during COVID-19 -
Resources on Criminal Justice Reform
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Prison Ministry
For a listing of state correctional institutions and Catholic chaplains in the Diocese of Columbus, please click on the link below:
Volunteer in Prison Ministry?
Feel called to minister inside the fence? This is a Corporal Work of Mercy. Contact us and we will connect you to an opportunity to serve. socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org 614-241-2540.
Prison Ministry Resources
Dismas Ministry
This national Catholic ministry provides valuable resources for prison ministers and inmates.
Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition
The Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC) promotes Catholic ministry to all those affected by incarceration. Our goal is to recruit, train, support and empower those called to this ministry. CPMC creates opportunities to share resources and best practices to strengthen the Church’s mission to advance restorative justice that upholds the dignity of every human person affected by incarceration and detention (victims, families, correctional officers, prosecutors, judges, etc.).
Prison Ministry Fund
The Catholic Diocese of Columbus maintains a fund for the purchase of religious articles for use in jails and prisons. The intent of this fund is to offer financial support for the purchase of items not covered by correctional institutions or parish ministries. Examples include the purchase of missalettes, prayer books, faith formation resources, etc. The fund is limited and available each year on a first come, first served basis. Once this account is exhausted, we need to wait for the next annual distribution. Please keep this in mind and apply for only what you need. Also consider obtaining free Bibles from sources such as Dismas Ministry at www.dismasministry.org/request-bible-resources.
Grant Application for Prison Ministry Fund: PDF | WordPrison Ministry Incident Report Form
This form is to be completed by a prison minister in the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Jail & Prison ministers are encouraged to report incidents at correctional institutions that have resulted in barriers to ministry to those who are incarcerated. The purpose of this form is for the diocesan Office for Social Concerns to track issues that have been successfully resolved or after repeated attempts by prison ministers are still awaiting resolution.
Incident Report Form: PDF | Word
Reentry Ministry and Restorative Justice
Reentry ministry is walking with the formerly incarcerated as they return to their families and community as they rebuild their lives outside the walls of jail or prison.
ARCH Reentry (Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope) is an outreach project to help meet the needs of individuals who have been incarcerated, also referred to as returning or restored citizens. We aim to assist local faith communities in becoming welcoming spaces that provide essential support services to returning citizens on their road to reintegration and healing. This project also aids those who serve returning citizens to live out their faith with works of compassion and mercy.
Visit the ARCH Reentry webpage and learn how you can accompany returning citizens with hope.
Family Ministry
LEAF (Listening, Encouraging, and Accompanying Families of the Incarcerated) is a resource and referral ministry that offers a community, compassion, caring, and support to families and loved ones of the incarcerated. Need LEAF or interested in starting a LEAF support group? Visit the LEAF website or call 614-241-2540.