Over 7,700 inmates in prisons in Valencia benefited from evangelical chaplaincy in 2021

The Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (Ferede) encouraged churches to “remember the prisoners”, coinciding with the Day of the Prisoner on 6 March, a commemoration initiated by the Evangelical Religious Assistance Department of the Protestant entity.

For the occasion, the Evangelical Council of the Autonomous Region of Valencia has published some data on the work done by evangelical Christians in prisons in the territory. Throughout 2021, more than 7,700 inmates in Valencian prisons received evangelical chaplaincy services.

This spiritual service, says Francisco Javier Piquer, the regional evangelical body’s chair, was carried out in the five penitentiary centres throughout the region by 12 worship ministers and other 24 volunteer assistants.

“It is a privilege to be able to serve the Lord in the centres where we do it. For us, to reach such a large number of people who need to hear the Gospel, who need to change their lives, is very gratifying”, explained a volunteer.

"We need prayer for young people, both male and female, who need to hear the Gospel. Please pray for the prisons. Without the help of the church, it is impossible to reach them", he added.

Julio García Celorio, an expert in social reintegration and advisor on religious assistance, added: “People who have made a mistake in life and have committed a crime need a second chance. It is not me who says this, but the Spanish Constitution. All Christian organisations in Spain that work for the rehabilitation of people are a great help to the penitentiary institution and to the country. And this service is offered at no cost to the State in other areas as well, such as the care for people in a homeless situation or the eradication of human trafficking”.