What's the work like?
Helen Dearnley, Chaplain
"Being a co-ordinating chaplain in the Prison Service is both a privilege and an awesome responsibility. My role is to be available to all the prisoners whatever their faith or background to offer pastoral support, care and challenge, whenever that is required. This also involves linking prisoners with the chaplain of their faith tradition, as we work together as a team. When I first began as a Prison Chaplain the Bishop who preached told me that I had a responsibility to be aware of the humanity of everyone and to demonstrate God's love wherever and whenever I could. Most of the time I find myself being with people, whether they are staff or prisoners, as a person who listens and who cares, who prays when they can't. I cry with them in the darkest times and laugh with them when they laugh. Chaplaincy is about God's love whenever, wherever, whoever we are."
Moosa Gora, Chaplain HMP Full Sutton
"I have been working as an Imam in the Prison Service for the past 12 years and I've enjoyed many happy days as well as the days when I've wondered 'What am I doing in the Prison Service'? All in all it has been a rewarding experience. My faith keeps me going and during the difficult and testing moments, when you've helped a prisoner or a member of staff, their smile brings such a satisfaction that a thousand words cannot capture. Chaplaincy by its nature sounds quite soft and an easy going pastoral job, but believe me you need a tough skin to serve as a chaplain in the Prison Service!"
