Daisy Vanderputt, CSAN’s Senior Officer for Policy and Public Affairs, recently attended the launch of Remember Me: A Catholic Approach to Criminal Justice, a document by the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The publication reflects deeply on contemporary issues in the criminal justice system through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, highlighting the transformative principles of justice, mercy, and redemption. By practising justice and mercy, Remember Me reminds us, we share in God’s love, which can bring hope even in the most challenging circumstances.
The document emphasises the need for humane prison conditions as a foundation for effective rehabilitation, addressing critical concerns such as overcrowding, safety, mistreatment, and the lack of purposeful activities. It also explores the role of restorative justice and the importance of community support in helping offenders rebuild their lives.
The launch event brought together Catholic charities, including PACT – a CSAN Member – , which works to support prisoners and their families, alongside individuals from the criminal justice system. This gathering underscored the vital role of faith, compassion, and collaboration in creating a justice system that restores dignity and promotes healing for all involved in the criminal justice system, from prison staff, to prisoners and their families. You can read more about the document here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/remember-me/. The PDF is available here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Remember-Me-Document.pdf
