The Prison Ministry is a project of the Thailand Jesuit Foundation. Its purpose is to assist prisoners who are held in different prisons within Thailand, especially for those who are poor and who have no visitors.
Klong Prem Central Prison, a high-security prison in Bangkok
The project was initiated by Fr.Olivier Morin, S.J., in October 1991, and despite great obstacles, the work has continued to the present day.
The Prison Ministry Team visits the prisoners and talks with them as we would with our friends, with our brothers or sisters.
We provide support for them in many forms. When possible (if allowed by the Correction Department or Prison officials), we can provide some basic needs, e.g. toiletries, clothes, supplementary food, medicine, etc.
During our regular visits we are able to become their friends, giving family-like support and encouraging them with hope. They and we together share our experiences of life.
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The Jesuit Prison Ministry is a team of 7 full-time staff members, all of whom are dedicated to the service of prisoners in Thailand.
On the "list" of those who have asked for our regular assistance, there are now about 1,900 men and women whom we visit regularly. They are inmates in 11 different prison facilities.
[above: Bang Kwang Central Prison, Bangkok]
Many people ask us how they can be involved in this ministry. They are several ways you can share this work with us. To be a part of our work means that you care for men and women who are in a life-situation where they have not only lost their freedom (sometimes justly, because of their crimes), but have also lost contact with family, friends, in fact, with anyone who cares.
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Our work of compassion does not only look to service of the present moment, but also to issues of human dignity, human rights, and absolute respect for life. There is indeed a need to advocate for the respect of the dignity of the human person, no matter where he or she is, no matter what he or she has done, no matter how good or how bad that person may have acted. Human life is sacred in all its forms and at every moment. Catholics don't support killing people.
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