Sisters Ministering in Ireland’s Prisons

The article by Sarah MacDonald, published 20th February, 2023 in Global Sisters Report, gathers valuable insights on Prison Ministry in Ireland from a number of Sisters who minister in Irish prisons. The voices contributing here include:

• Eilis Coe, Sister of Charity
• Esther Murphy, Sister of Mercy
• Therese Brophy, Sister of Mercy
• Mary Hanrahan, Presentation Sister
• Imelda Wickham, Presentation Sister

Extracted:
Prison ministry has engaged a significant number of Irish women religious from several congregations in recent years.

Before the pandemic, 18 Mercy Sisters ministered in 11 prisons at home and abroad. In Ireland, Mercy Sisters have provided hospitality in Cork, Mountjoy, Limerick and Portlaoise prisons and are also involved in ancillary work, including the Bedford Row Family Project in Limerick city.

Sr. Esther Murphy: Ireland’s lack of post-prison services as well as the housing crisis contribute to recidivism.  The systems are not working well for people.  Prison is not suitable for everyone and not needed for everyone… I think we need to wake up to that fact.

Sr. Therese Brophy: They – the prisoners- like to have a one-to-one. Their stories can be very sad. I see my role as that of a faithful companion.

Sr. Mary Hanrahan: We are a bridge between the prisoner and the family. We are also there to speak to solicitors and other agencies on their behalf.

Sr. Imelda Wickham: Calls for “a radical updating of the criminal justice system” to bring it in line with the latest advances in cognitive, forensic and behavioural psychology.

Sr. Eilis Coe:  Does prison ever rehabilitate anybody? There is a societal and systematic change needed. The main drive must be to keep people out of prison.

This article gives valuable insights and raises urgent questions in the area of prison ministry today.

To read the article in full, please click here

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