Prison Ministry India Urges Public to Join Effort to Transform Lives Behind Bars

Catholic voluntary organisation appeals for collaboration to turn prisons into places of prayer, purpose and dignity.

NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) – Prison Ministry India (PMI) has appealed for greater public participation in its mission to reform and reintegrate prisoners, calling for collective action to “make the prison, a place where men and women pray.”

In its November 2022 publication Magnet, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to bring hope and compassion to inmates through faith-based rehabilitation. “We want to make the prison, a place where men and women pray,” said Sister Lini Sheeja, a member of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. “We want to make the prisoner know that they are not alone, without friends but we are their friends who truly love them,” said the nun who served as the Chief Editor for Prison Voice, a national monthly, and author of the book Holy Warriors in Prisons.

PMI has emphasised that transforming prisons requires a united effort that extends beyond charity, urging individuals and institutions alike to take part in restoring dignity to those society has cast aside. “In order to achieve this we seek the collaboration of all,” Sister Sheeja said.

The ministry underscored the spiritual and social dimensions of its mission: “to make some worthy whom society has judged worthless, consider useful whom society has judged useless.” The article reflects PMI’s long-standing focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution, aiming to reintegrate former inmates as valued members of society.

Since its founding, Prison Ministry India — a Catholic voluntary organisation working under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India — has been committed to the pastoral care and reformation of prisoners through counselling, education, and aftercare programmes. The organisation continues to operate through a nationwide network of volunteers, many of whom are religious sisters, priests, and laypeople.

The latest appeal comes as PMI prepares to expand its outreach across India, calling on dioceses, parishes and communities to participate in its work. It urged donors and volunteers to support rehabilitation efforts, reminding the public that small acts of solidarity can make a lasting difference.

PMI framed its appeal not merely as a humanitarian effort but as a moral and spiritual responsibility shared by all. “We are their friends who truly love them,” Sister Sheeja said, inviting every citizen to help restore purpose and faith to those living behind bars.