International Prisoners’ Justice Day is a solidarity movement that takes place annually on August 10 in support of prisoners’ rights and to remember all the people who have died of unnatural deaths while incarcerated.
Plenty to think about with Aboriginal deaths in custody, and refugees who have died in detention.
Since 1980, the National Deaths in Custody Program (NDICP) has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, in police custody, and youth detention. Very informative website.
Corrections Victoria report that Chaplains from the Anglican Church, Roman Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Uniting Church and the Islamic Council of Victoria visit each prison on a regular basis. Buddhist, Greek Orthodox and Jewish Chaplains also visit each prison as required.
‘I was in prison and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25:36)
Please remember these Chaplains in your prayers as they work in sometimes challenging circumstances in the prisons, providing spiritual, emotional and practical support. They are able to support everyone regardless of faith or religious affiliation or background, and may also provide support to the families of prisoners and people in their circle of care.
Resources (prayers and information) here.