HMP Highpoint in Suffolk has one of the largest prison chaplaincy teams in the UK – providing vital pastoral care for prisoners, their families and staff.
Revd Wendy Norris has led the chaplaincy team since November 2023, making sure every prisoner, no matter their faith, or none, has access to religious materials and a safe space to worship. Wendy said chaplaincy was at the heart of the Stradishall prison’s ethos – impacting not just the pastoral care of prisoners, but also playing an integral role in prison management.
“I am not a prisoner chaplain, I am a prison chaplain,” she said. “I’m here for the prisoners, but also their families and the staff who work here.”
“Most of our work is based around pastoral care, caring for men in crisis or who are vulnerable, but we are also embedded in the managerial side of the prison. We are seen as part of the leadership of the whole prison, giving our view on how it is run and sometimes speaking truth to power. We help support prisoners who are dealing with family and life issues and coming to terms with why they are in here. Most want to change their lives.”
The category C prison is soon set to become the UK’s largest – with work now underway to increase its population from 1,300 to 2,000 prisoners, all of them male.
Wendy said the prison takes the utmost care to ensure every religion is accommodated for, including all denominations of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and Hinduism as well as minority faith groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Rastafarians and Pagans.
The chaplaincy also supports those with no faith, and has a humanist chaplain visit once a week.
“We are here for all faiths and none,” said Wendy. “Many prisoners who come here haven’t decided on a religion or are a non-believer.”
The prison is geared towards rehabilitation, offering prisoners a vast range of educational and vocational opportunities. Prisoners can study up to a master’s degree inside the prison walls, although the average reading age within the population is 11 years.
HMP Highpoint even has its own stretch of rail track, called the Rail Centre of Excellence, to give prisoners the opportunity to develop new skills working on the tracks.
Wendy said she feels she was called to be a prison chaplain, leaving a high-flying job in the City of London to make a difference within the Suffolk prison’s walls.
Before taking on the role at Highpoint, Wendy had volunteered at both HMP Belmarsh, many years ago, and HMP Chelmsford before becoming a paid part-time Church of England Chaplain in Chelmsford.
“People get called to it for different reasons,” she said, “I felt the call to prison ministry during my curacy and haven’t looked back. It just felt right doing this job – as soon as I came to prison I felt God had called me here.”
Pastoral care, rehabilitation and restorative justice are key elements of the chaplaincy’s work, giving prisoners a chance to reflect on their crimes and face their victims.
“We have our Sycamore Tree course, which is a victim awareness course,” said Wendy.
“These are people who are going through trying to find forgiveness, empathy for other people. We have victims come in and speak about their experiences. Sometimes the prisoners go on to meet their victims. We also have a Dad’s course which teaches prisoners about fatherhood for when they come out. In addition to this we have our Phoenix Futures group working one-on-one with those with addictions. Sometimes our role as chaplain is being that sensible adult they may not have in their lives. We provide that productive space between home and prison.
“We always have to remember we have keys and they don’t, but if someone is going to open up to you, you need to be able to connect with them. My role is very rewarding, you feel you are really making a difference in people’s lives as they try to get their lives back on track. When you find a job you love, it’s amazing.”
Archdeacon Rich Henderson said: “Prison chaplains walk alongside those the world often forgets. Their presence is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and grace. “In listening, praying, and simply being there, they offer hope, dignity and the possibility of transformation to every person they meet.”
For more information on chaplaincy in Suffolk, visit www.cofesuffolk.org/exploring-faith/in-our-communities/chaplaincy