26 October 2026

I have never been a prison chaplain but I admire what they do. In the recent series of ‘Time’, we see the work of the chaplain to a young offenders’ institution. She is a Roman Catholic nun played by Siobhan Finneran. She is the one who looks at what is happening with compassion and brings peace in her wake.

The Revd. Canon Helen Dearnley is a real life prison chaplain who was featured in the recent issue of ‘Word in Action’, publication issued by the Bible Society. She ’supports and equips Anglican chaplains in all 123 prisons in England and Wales’.

She was conducting an act of worship in the prison chapel when she noticed Michael. Her heart sank. He had been released three months before. She knew him well because he had been a regular member of the Bible Study and a regular attender at worship.

She wondered why he was back in the prison. ‘ I believed  you would make good.’ she said hardly able to hide her disappointment. ‘I learnt in this chapel that I should be honest.’ Michael replied. The chaplain wondered what was coming next?

‘When I was released, I went straight to the police and told them everything I’ve done. Now I’m serving my time and in a few weeks, you’ll never see me again. I’m wiping the slate clean so that when I leave, I will truly be a free man.’

‘We never did see Michael again and I trust God that his life is flourishing.’ she said. It must have been a very fulfilling moment for her. It illustrates the power of the Gospel to transform people’s lives and the value of the chaplaincy team who have time to listen and wisdom to share.