Who we are

Prison Ministry has been operating for over 40 years, firstly under the Methodist Church and, in the last 35 years, under the Uniting Church. As a community service, Prison Ministry fits within the structure of UnitingCare Community (an agency of Uniting Care Queensland) and also sits within the structure of Uniting Church Queensland Synod. Prison Ministry's goal is to provide pastoral care to inmates and their families in relevant and impacting ways and to support inmates' families to minister in dark times and to show love, as Christ showed love. Over the years, the service has been blessed and challenged on several occasions. Overall Prison Ministry has become truly blessed to have people that wish to walk along side those whom not many will even walk with.

For a number of years we have been providing chaplaincy services in Queensland’s correctional centres, supporting families with food parcels; Christmas hampers; toys for the children; presents for mothers or fathers that have their loved ones in prison; supporting grandmothers who are looking after their grandchildren while a parent is in prison; emergency assistance and court support. The Prison Ministry team is composed of dedicated brothers and sisters (mostly volunteers), who reach out with Christ’s love and compassion to those often considered the outcasts or untouchables of society, just as Jesus did.

What we do

Our prison chaplains minister in many ways to prisoners, staff and their families. Prisoners and their families are often locked into a continuous grief and loss cycle. In some cases, the bread-winner has been removed from the family while a single parent or grandparent keeps the home together alone. Our chaplains allow people to express their needs and concerns freely by listening in a non-judgmental way, encouraging them and empowering them to make decisions to move towards better lives.

We provide Christian books, Bibles (also in other languages), tapes, CDs, tracts, song books and other resources in correctional centres across Queensland. We conduct worship services on Sundays, memorial services, arrange and conduct Bible studies, and encourage further studies for those interested. We visit and support families in need with food hampers and Christmas presents. We also supply toiletries and greeting cards for female prisoners, none of which happens without your prayers and material support. We provide education and continue creating awareness for the need for support by speaking at churches and community meetings.

Some of our goals

As our prisoner numbers continue to grow and more and more prisons are being built to satisfy the constant demand, so does our need for more people who are called by God to make a difference in our communities. We always welcome people who feel called to be chaplains and especially those who have the desire to minister to families, young people, those with mental health issues, court chaplaincy, and after prison care.

Role of a chaplain

Chaplains embody Christ in a very real way. As His love and compassion empowers, we listen, provide a safe space to express emotions, encourage, exhort, teach, mediate, advocate, rebuke, laugh and cry with people as we companion them on their life’s journey. We accept all people as someone for whom Christ died.

Our work with families of inmates

We want to share the love of Christ and serve the special needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. We know that prison is a tough time both for those who are confined and for their loved ones left at home to deal with loneliness, social rejection, financial strains, and other pressures. We hope to provide a better service, serving our God by serving inmates, ex-inmates and their families. We believe there is a clear need to equip and support the families of inmates. If we can do this, we will make a difference in our community. Many of the inmates, ex-inmates and families face the time alone…But we would like to change that - our mission is to help the families as part of our ministry.

Where we are

Lifeline Prison Ministry provides services in the following locations:

• Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre
• Brisbane Correctional Centre
• Capricornia Correctional Centre
• Darling Downs Correctional Centre
• Lotus Glen Correctional Centre
• Numinbah Correctional Centre
• Palen Creek Correctional Centre
• Townsville Correctional Centre
• Wolston Correctional Centre
• Woodford Correctional Centre
• Arther Gorrie Correctional Centre
• Borallon Correctional Centre