Prison Ministry assisted more than 40,000 people in Spain in 2025

Today, September 24th, is the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, Mother of Captives and Queen of Mercy, patron saint of prisoners and penitentiary institutions. And the area of Prison Pastoral Care of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), which belongs to the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care and Human Development, has made public the 2025 Report on Prison Ministry. 

Of the 62,398 people imprisoned in Spain in 2025, more than 40,000 were able to be accompanied by the Church last year, through chaplains, volunteers, parishes, congregations and other ecclesial entities. 

The memory reflects a presence that, as the Department Director, the Mercedarian José María Carod, points out, develops “often silently, but seeks to accompany, make visible and improve the reality” of people serving a prison sentence. 

More than a thousand programs inside and outside prisons

The 2025 report of the Department of Prison Ministry of the CEE includes 1,076 programs developed inside and outside prison centers, with the participation of 1,910 volunteers and 159 chaplains. 

It is the activity of the Church developed last year in accompanying both people deprived of liberty, their families and the victims.

Of the 1,076 programs, 936 were carried out inside prisons and 140 outside of them. 

A total of 40,289 people were assisted through these actions, while 3,722 people participated or were involved in the various initiatives, reports the CEE.

Within the prison system, 573 religious programs were implemented, encompassing 768 pastoral groups and activities, with 21,270 people participating in religious activities. These were complemented by 341 social programs, 22 legal programs, and various support and assistance initiatives.

3,193 people served in 90 shelters

Outside the prisons, the activity focused primarily on social support and outreach. Prison Ministry operated 90 shelters, providing services to 3,193 people, and also supported 621 individuals through community service programs. 

Twenty-seven legal programs were also developed, which benefited 399 people.

A presence sustained by chaplains (159) and volunteers

The report highlights the role of the people who make this presence of the Church in the prison system possible. In 2025, 1,910 lay volunteers and 159 chaplains participated, along with 667 collaborating organizations.

Throughout the year, 804 meetings and training activities were also recorded, aimed at strengthening the preparation and support of those who carry out their service in Prison Ministry. 

The report also highlights the need to improve the channels for initial and ongoing training of prison ministry workers, volunteers, and chaplains. “We have found that there is a shortage of personnel. We must clearly define the vocation to serve prisoners,” they note in this summary of the year.

Accompany, listen: “another prison is possible”

Along with the data, the 2025 Report emphasizes a specific way of understanding the Church's presence in prisons: "We want to show that another kind of prison is possible through listening, outreach, humanity, understanding, opportunity, and forgiveness," says José María Carod.

The Prison Ministry Department also expresses its desire to take firm steps in accompanying victims and perpetrators: “To be present in the pain of so many wounded families on both sides. And above all, to achieve such total coordination that it is evangelizing in itself.”.

More than 3.6 million euros contributed

The activity carried out during 2025 had 3.6 million euros contributed by the Prison Ministry: 1.5 million in the chaplaincies and 2.1 million in shelters, according to the overall data of the report.

The figures, taken together, reflect a broad network of presence and support surrounding this reality, and he points out: “We continue without pause. Because the ultimate goal is clear: to support, raise awareness of, and improve the reality—for now still unavoidable—of imprisonment.”.