Twelve women in His Majesty’s Prison and Youth Offenders Institute New Hall recently publicly affirmed their faith in Jesus through baptism and confirmation.
The service on Wednesday, January 21 was conducted by the Rt Revd Malcolm Chamberlain, Bishop of Wakefield, at the institute’s Chapel of Hope, with three women baptised and nine others confirmed.
The Revd Lesley Greenwood-Haigh, Managing Chaplain at HMP and YOI New Hall, said: “The service was filled with joy, singing, laughter, and a few tears.
“The testimonies shared were honest and deeply moving.
“One woman described how entering prison and encountering Jesus had literally saved her life.
“Another spoke of finding purpose for the first time, even though her circumstances remained unchanged, she now felt equipped with the inner strength to face anything.”
Bishop Malcolm said: “It was a huge privilege to be invited to HMP and YOI New Hall to baptise three women and confirm nine women in a wonderfully uplifting service of praise.
“The faith-filled enthusiasm of the women was infectious, and the volume of their singing might put many of our churches to shame!
“It was as clear as can be to me that these women were making genuine commitments to be followers of Jesus, and that this was, at least in part, a result of the highly effective ministry of Lesley and the chaplaincy team at New Hall, for which I am so very grateful to God.
“There are many inspirational occasions that I am blessed to be involved in as a bishop, and this was most certainly right up there with the best!
“I came away with a spring in my step and joy in my heart.”
HMP and YOI New Hall is a closed female prison, and many of the women supported by the chaplaincy team are survivors of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
The chaplains meet them at their most vulnerable, burdened by self-doubt, self-loathing, and feelings of worthlessness.
Within prison, many women find a level of support and hope they have never experienced in the community, but can struggle after release, when they encounter rejection and struggle to find belonging in the wider world.
The chaplains are in conversation with Bishop Malcolm about developing the role of prison leaver coordinators: people with a heart for helping newly released women, who will act as signposts and bridges between HMP and YOI New Hall and local parish churches, helping ensure that women leaving prison with Christian faith are welcomed, supported, and nurtured as they return to the community.
Training will be available for this ministry, with the hope that those who serve in this way receive more than they give.
Revd Lesley said: “Ten years into my role as Managing Chaplain, I remain humbled, energised, and often brought to my knees by the beauty and challenge of this ministry.
“If you would like to learn more about our work or explore ways of supporting our women, please feel free to get in touch.”