Saint Vincent de Paul was Chaplain of the galley slaves in Paris. “These men were treated like animals,” he said. They had no support and were deprived of all contact. Saint Vincent fought against the abuses they suffered and secured more humane treatment for them.
He sent the Daughters of Charity to provide them with food, care and spiritual comfort. This project, daring and even dangerous at the time, was a victory for charity.
Faithful to our origins, we continue this mission and visit persons who are imprisoned. Following Jesus, we believe that God loves them, that their value is beyond whatever wrong they have committed; we are witnesses to their humanity and their faith journey. We accompany them and encourage them in concrete ways to reintegrate into society.
We carry out this service:
inside prisons with those who are imprisoned
- through encounters, listening attentively and being present
- in infirmaries and general services
- by distributing food
- by giving classes
- through chaplaincy activities
outside prisons:
- in reception centers for families
- by maintaining contact with families
- by corresponding with those who are imprisoned
