English 
“It is a beautiful gift of God to take care of people—men, women, and children—in jail“
St. Teresa of Kolkata
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Indian prison ministry takes on an even deeper meaning. The Missionaries of the Immaculate, together with volunteers from Prison Ministry India (PMI), become pilgrims of hope each day for those forgotten by society.
Leela’s Journey: A Story of Maternal Love
The cold corridors of the women’s prison in Vijayawada echo with silent footsteps. Within those walls, I met Leela, a single mother whose life had been turned upside down by a conviction. Separated from her five-year-old son Kumar, who was sent to a juvenile home, Leela was devastated by grief and guilt.
“My son cries every night,” she confessed through tears during our first meeting. “How can he understand why his mother doesn’t come home?”
I encouraged her to pray each evening, sending her love to her child through prayer. Weeks later, when Leela was finally released and reunited with Kumar, the little boy told her that every night, as he cried, he felt a comforting presence whispering to him: “Don’t be afraid, your mother will come soon.”
With tears in her eyes, Leela said to me: “Sister, now I believe that even behind these walls, God listens to us. It was His love that kept us connected.”
Beyond the Bars: The Heart of Our Mission
Prison Ministry India is born from the conviction that no one is beyond the reach of divine mercy. In the dioceses of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, our PMI units—comprised of religious and lay people—respond to the spiritual and emotional needs of inmates.
Many of them are not criminals, but people wounded by broken families, poverty, and despair. Some are guilty; others are innocent victims of an imperfect system. All, however, have a profound need for dignity and hope.
Being a Transformative Presence
As volunteers, we are not there to judge. We are called to be a compassionate presence, to share in silent sorrows, and to reflect Christ’s love. Often, it is not grand words, but attentive listening or a simple prayer that becomes the turning point in an inmate’s life.
Our ministry continues even after release from prison. PMI manages rehabilitation centers that offer vocational training, education, and a family environment. Inside prisons, training programs promote self-reliance, allowing inmates to rediscover their self-worth.
A Call to Compassion
This mission draws strength from the heart of the Gospel. We remember that in His final hours, Jesus Himself became a prisoner. Through His suffering, He took upon Himself the pain of every imprisoned soul, offering forgiveness and rebirth.
We invite you to join us—in prayer and support—as we walk with the most forgotten in our society. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us (Isaiah 61:1): “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me… He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and release to the prisoners.”
May the Lord strengthen us with courage as we continue this pilgrimage of healing, hope, and love.
Sr. Constantina Thangaveloo, Vijayawada
