Days of Prayers and Support for Those Incarcerated and Correctional Staff – August 18 – 20, 2023

The West Virginia Council of Churches is designating August 18 – 20, 2023 as Days of Prayer and Support for Those who are Incarcerated and for Correctional Staff. The West Virginia Council of Churches, the Church as a whole, and all people of faith and goodwill have a long-standing interest in the welfare of those involved in the criminal justice system.  As disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we hear the call of the Lord in Matthew 25: 35 – 36 to care for our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated.  Current conditions in our criminal justice system jeopardize the safety of both those who are incarcerated and those who work in the correctional system.  The ongoing overdoses and deaths in our prisons and regional jails are a stark testimony that something is deeply wrong with our correctional system. While we genuinely applaud and our appreciative of the progress made at the most recent Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature, we believe that there is more to be done in order to remedy the overcrowding, critical deferred maintenance, and understaffing in our correctional facilities.  

For Ecumenical prayers for the Days of Prayer and Support, please click here.

For Interfaith prayers for the Days of Prayer and Support, please click here.

For background material, including “12 Ways You Can Touch a Life,” please click here.

For more information on families and incarceration, please click here.