The institution of prison chaplaincy will be introduced in Ukrainian prisons

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, in collaboration with the State Penitentiary Service (GPS), has decided to establish permanent positions for prison chaplains in correctional facilities. The initiative will be launched through the creation of a special working group.

As part of this project, the parties plan to select pilot prisons to test the new service and to compile a list of clergy members who will officially receive the status of prison chaplains. The work of the clergy in places of incarceration will become part of comprehensive rehabilitation programs for inmates.

Deputy Minister of Justice Yevgeny Pikalov emphasized that professional chaplaincy is necessary for effective work with various categories of individuals, including minors and war veterans who are in custody. This initiative aims to develop a system of psychological and spiritual support in the country’s correctional facilities.

As a reminder, a chaplain has begun working at General Education School No. 11 in the city of Ternopil. The local diocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the school signed a cooperation agreement under which Roman Podgainy, a local UGCC clergyman, will conduct religious activities with the children.