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Caritas delegation returns from Canada

More needs to be done to support inmates in Pakistan jails, say volunteers
Caritas delegation returns from Canada
Delegates at Prison Fellowship International in Toronto
Published: July 14, 2011 08:49 AM GMT
Updated: July 14, 2011 08:49 AM GMT

A delegation from Caritas Pakistan in Lahore attending the ninth quadrennial convocation of Prison Fellowship International said the gathering offered much-needed stimulus to prison ministry efforts in the country. Father Joseph Louis, executive secretary of Caritas Pakistan Lahore, said the experience was “educational and stimulating." He was joined by three other representatives for the event, which brought together more than 1,000 Christians from 120 countries to the event held in Toronto and which ended earlier this month. “We need to revamp our slow Church prison ministry. This means doing more than occasional prayers with criminals and handing over food and clothes to them.” Father Joseph said he now plans to form volunteer groups to visit prisoners. “Our situation is different than other countries, as we cannot liaise with Muslim inmates and risk conversion allegations,” he said. There are currently an estimated 5,000 Christians among 80,000 prisoners being held in 30 jails throughout Punjab province. But government policies hinder access to them, said Amir Jacob, who was among the delegates sent to Canada. “We have to wait for months to acquire the non-objection certificate for jail visits. Generating local funds is another challenge.” Jacob, a Christian lawyer, serves as a board member of the Pakistan Prison Fellowship, which was formed in 1985 by a Punjabi pastor. The fellowship supports prisoners and their families through skill training and rehabilitation programs. It also distributes Christmas gifts to children of prisoners, pretending they were sent by the inmates themselves. Jacob said he plans to organize an awareness campaign for youths. “They need to be enlightened about the stigma of being in prison, which destroys one’s career,” he said. “Attending church regularly is a compulsory part of our rehabilitation process once the prisoner has been released. Interaction with the congregation has helped many [former prisoners] to find jobs.”

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