Did you know that St Paul wrote many of his letters from prison? They are the fruit, if you like, of his prison ministry. Paul’s chains could not chain the gospel and through these letters he led, taught and inspired the early Church. He could not have known that one day these prison letters would be revered as the very word of God and would be treasured and cherished as he treasured and cherished the Hebrew scriptures.
Many saints and heroes of faith throughout the ages have been prisoners, such as, for example, St John of the Cross (imprisoned by his own order), Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein, Jacques Felsch, Cardinal Van Thuan, Corrie ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. For these men and women, and many others, prison became a place of grace and redemption where they were sustained by their faith and enabled to grow closer to God.
There is a view prevalent today that prisoners should be locked away and preferably with the key thrown away! We at Bible Alive do not condone any crime (as you would expect) and certainly our every sympathy goes towards those who are victims of crime. However, Jesus clearly had a special place for prisoners in his heart and in many ways  society or civilization can be judged on how it takes care of its prisoners. We all know too that if we look into our own hearts, we know that there but for God’s grace go I. The theologian Karl Rahner, who had a special place too in his heart for prisoners, said once when addressing a retreat for prison chaplains:
‘We find ourselves in the prisoners when we see in them the hidden truth of our own situation. The truth that we are sinners; the truth that we are self-seekers; the truth that in a thousand different ways, crude or subtle, we are always trying to serve God and ourselves...We may be free in a bourgeois, legal sense: we may be responsible for our actions, not only in the sight of men but also in the sight of God...But if we have not been set free by the Spirit of God...we are nevertheless helpless and hopeless prisoners in the prison of our guilt, our unsaved condition, our inability to perform any saving act.
‘When you go from your own surroundings into a prison, you do not go out of a world of harmony, light and order into a world of guilt and unfreedom: you stay where you have been all the time. It is merely made clearer to your bodily sense what has been surrounding you all the time.’
We believe that all human beings, no matter who they are, what they have done or where they are from, are created in the image and likeness of God (imago Dei) and possess therefore a profound and inalienable value, worth and dignity. We believe that all human beings are a union of body and a soul and have an eternal destiny in God’s plan of salvation. God’s raison d’être is to redeem and save – this is why Jesus, true God and true man, humbled himself and took on human flesh, died on the cross and rose on the third day. We are not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and are committed to proclaiming that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). We all need the salvation offered to us in Christ and we all need the grace and mercy of God mediated to us through the Church.
Bible Alive has always had a heart for prisoners – together with our readers we want to reach out to our brothers and sisters around the world who are serving time behind bars. We believe that prisoners hold a very important place in God’s heart as revealed by Jesus himself: ‘I was in prison and you came to me’ (Matt. 25:36). Not everyone can visit prisoners but our readers reach out to them by being kind and generous enough to send us funding so we in turn can send prisoners Bible Alive, books and other resources to encourage them in their faith.
We like to invite feedback and comment from prisoners and chaplains about Bible Alive. We always receive very moving, profound and faith-filled responses. Never be in any doubt that a donation to our International Prison Outreach helps prisoners directly, personally and individually and that their appreciation of that gift and generosity is very real and genuine.

Letters

I was attending Sunday Mass this weekend and our Chaplain handed me a note inviting feedback regarding Bible Alive which we receive every month. Since attending the weekly Bible sessions that are organized I have been given a copy of Bible Alive to help me understand the Scripture readings in the Bible. Bible Alive is published very well and I particularly like the articles in each edition as well as the daily reflections. I was a practising Catholic before coming to prison and having access to Bible Alive has enhanced my faith. If I can think of one positive thing about coming into prison, it is that the extra time I have now, has made me understand just how important my faith is to me. It has been very useful and has helped me realize how important is my Catholic faith.
(HMP Heden Road)

Bible Alive gives me something to think about every day.
(HMP Wellingborough)

Since I have found my faith I have found that, between going to church and reading the Bible, Bible Alive fills a gap in my understanding of what God is telling me. And sometimes it clears things up for me between what I am thinking and feeling and what the Bible is trying to tell me. I thank you for this chance to give you feedback on how well written and composed Bible Alive is and it has helped me through some very difficult times.
(HMP Risley)

Bible Alive gives me a reason on a daily basis to read something with a religious ‘theme’. Also it gives you a very good insight into someone’s life and it lets me know how other folk who faced problems dealt with them. Overall it is just a very different look on life and the problems life throws at you. It’s a very good, interesting and informative book.
(HMP Dumfries)

Thank you for giving Bible Alive to the chapel. I always collect one each month – it’s lovely to have a quiet time with the Bible and it brings a light into somewhere that can be very dark. Lots of love in Christ.
(HMP Lindholme)

I am serving a life sentence and have been imprisoned since February 2003. I started using Bible Alive for my daily reflections in March 2003. I have kept every issue since I started and have found them to be a great strength for me. I like the way the Scripture is interpreted, the wisdom of understanding and how it’s put across to us, the readers. First thing in the morning I read Bible Alive and last thing at night. I make sure I get hold of it at the end of each month. Thank you so much. I know now how the person felt from footprints in the sand, as I can honestly say that through Bible Alive when I have been weak and felt hopeless, it has carried me, helping me to reflect.
(HMP Wandsworth)

They are inspirational. The stories and readings together make faith more alive and relevant.
(HMP Wandsworth)

Bible Alive helps me to feel part of the Church because I am joining in the readings with everybody else.
(HMP Wellingborough)

It gives me an excellent insight to what Jesus was telling the apostles, teaching them in parables and wanting them to use their ears to hear his words. Also an insight to other things that happen in the world and it has also helped me to practise my faith again the way I should and forget earthly belongings.
(HMP Leeds)

Bible Alive gives me a better outlook on my future after prison and has shown me the way to go about life. I was given an indefinite sentence in 1981. I served approximately twelve years before release. Since my licence is indefinite I can be (and have been) recalled to prison at any time. Over the past quarter of a century I have experienced the heights of fear, depths of despair and cold isolation. The one thing which has remained consistent is my faith, I have been blessed with that. Bible Alive has often been a source of ‘comfort’ and ‘spiritual nourishment’. The daily reflections have played their part. The articles have also carried a message. I was uplifted to see Billy Power’s article in the July 2005 issue. I was one of the six or seven who received Holy Communion daily in a small cell in Wormwood Scrubs all those years ago. I too recall Fr Ennis and Sr Agnes bringing some sunshine into an otherwise bleak place. I’m currently in HMP Lewes and the article brought some fond memories and a little sunshine with it.
(HMP Lewes) 

Every morning I read Bible Alive and read the Psalm for that day and passages from the Bible. Every day I take comfort in hearing the word and seek guidance and strength from what is written. I also read the features, which I find interesting, especially when it’s about someone who’s turned their lives around when they’ve found Jesus. Each day gone is another off my sentence and each month brings me closer to going home to my family. Every night I thank God for another day over and pray for the faith to know he will make things right in the end. Many thanks for Bible Alive.
Thanks for sending Bible Alive to the prisons. I had my first Bible Alive at the Shrewsbury Prison in May, it really helps me a lot. It has changed my life a lot. It makes me understand the Scripture much better, based on what is happening in the world now. We need to know that God is in control of what happens to us, good or bad. So please keep sending Bible Alive to Shrewsbury Prison. I read it on a daily basis. It has drawn me much closer to God and has also made me reunited with my family friends who were not on good terms.
(HMP Risley)

Bible Alive is an excellent resource. We work with juveniles and young offenders so we appreciate the attractive format and relevant articles. Having an attractive and relevant publication encourages them into a deeper and wider appreciation of the faith. With our best wishes and ongoing gratitude,
Fr John Kearns and Mr Martin Ince
(HMPYOI Hindley)

This is my first time in prison; you can imagine how depressed, scared and isolated I have been. My worst moment was when I lost my father ten days after being in prison. I started reading Bible Alive when all seemed lost. It has helped me in adjusting to the environment I find myself in and accepting the reality of loss. Words are not enough to thank the entire team for bringing the Word of God to all the inmates through Bible Alive. After coming to prison, I knew little or nothing about God but with the help of your incredible magazine I now know why Jesus died on the cross. Thanks and God bless.
(HMP Liverpool)

I find Bible Alive very helpful and inspirational myself – the articles as well as the Scripture reflections, but in addition they also provide a ready source/resource for catechesis. Many of the prisoners who take Bible Alive look forward to their copy each month. Only God knows the real impact and fruitfulness but at least they are introduced to the Scriptures in manageable ‘bites’. May God continue to bless your work and all the contributors and donors.
Sr Teresa

Sometimes the readings in the Bible are hard to understand and it’s like Bible Alive can help me understand them. It is well good.
(HMP Cardiff)

The sentiments expressed have allowed me to reflect on my offence, how I have impacted on others.
(HMP Risley)