Prison Ministry at Pollsmoor Prison

A growing number of people from Church of the Holy Spirit (CHS) regularly visit Pollsmoor Prison under the auspices of Hope Prison Ministry, who are extensively involved in the prison and have a five-fold focus in their work, namely:

1. Inmates – awaiting trial and sentenced
2. Ex-prisoners
3. Families of prisoners
4. Correctional Officers
5. Victims of crime through Restorative Justice

Regular involvement from members of CHS has been focused in many different areas at the prison, eg:

• One lady is involved in The Adopt-A-Cell Project with the Juvenile boys, aged from 14-17, who are awaiting trial. A team of workers visit the boys and spend extensive time singing, praying and talking with them as well as encouraging, teaching, and preaching to them.
• Another lady is involved with teaching literacy to the young male adults.
• A couple of ladies from CHS go into the Female Prison on a weekly basis to teach art to a group of inmates
• A very popular Flower ministry is held on a weekly basis in the Female Prison. This was started up by a lady from CHS
• One member of the Church joins a group of spiritual workers from Hope Prison Ministry in the Female Prison. After a time of praise, worship, teaching and prayer, this ‘Women of Hope’ team presents different Bible Studies to small groups of clients on a weekly basis.
• Two other members are focusing on ministering to, and encouraging, the Correctional Officers at the prison.
• There are many members of the church who are regularly involved in the various Restorative Justice Courses run throughout the male and female prisons and the juvenile boys sections.
• Also, quite a number of people have supported the monthly Prayer Walks that take place at the prison, also organized by Hope Prison Ministry. This is always an unforgettable experience, as a large crowd of believers from different churches gather to move through the prison with one united purpose of praying for transformation in the lives of the inmates and staff of Correctional Services. Prayer guides are issued and a string band leads the way with praise and worship as people walk and pray.
  

Alpha

Many have found the Alpha course to be a life changing experience. One recent participant, Alesandro Simon, said this about it:

"I once had a family but it didn't work out. Then I walked into CHS and joined an Alpha course. There I was accepted. I now belong to a family that belongs to God. This course really has changed my life."

CHS runs an Alpha course annually. Contact the church office on 021 701 3201 for the staring date.

Opportunities for involvement, through Hope Prison Ministry, are:

If you are able to assist in any of these areas of work within the prison, please contact CHS (tel: 021 701 3201).

Westlake

The Westlake Estate is a re-housing programme of some 750 homes built at low cost in an area of the parish, 2 km west of the church site. 5,000 people live within this area which, although physically improved from when the inhabitants lived in shacks, still has a great deal of social and spiritual problems. CHS's involvement with the community is the primary way in which the 'mercy' pillar of our church work is enacted, and where we are able to put our Christian faith into practice.

Profile of the estate:

• Unemployment is around 70%.
• The problems of drugs and alcoholism are overwhelming.
• The population is made up of Angolans, Mozambiques, Africaans speakers, Xhosa, Malawians and poor Whites.
• Most children in the estate do not attend school and child abuse is common.
• Most inhabitants are illiterate.
• Many inhabitants are malnourished and TB has been known there.
• Crime is the norm. Seven people were murdered there in 2001.

Main Street, Westlake, August 2000