Christmas joy shared with prison inmates

The joy of Christmas was Wednesday shared among prison inmates in Bangalore, thanks to a ministry working for their relief and rehabilitation.

The Prison Ministry India (PMI) organised an early Christmas celebration for the prison inmates and their children at Central Prison.

School children were invited to be part of the special programmes that contained classic Christmas songs and dances. Also prizes were distributed to the winners of different competitions.

"Every year during Christmas we organise this event to share the joy of Christmas with prisoners and their families. The celebration of Christ's birth brings hope and comfort in their pain-filled world," said the national co-ordinator, Fr Josekutty Kalayil.

"Not only the prisoners, we also ensured the presence of their families, especially children who are being taken care by volunteers at our rehabilitation centre. The prisoners as well as the authorities were happy joining in the celebrations," he added.

The Archbishop of Bangalore, Bernard Moras, was invited to speak on the occasion.

"Christmas is a season of a joy and happiness. Christ came to free people who were in bondage. His birth has given us hope for the future," he preached.

Next week, the ministry will distribute gifts to about 4,500 inmates in Bangalore. Also, similar events celebrating the birth of Christ will be held in different prisons across the country, said Fr Kalayil.

Currently, there are about 6,000 volunteers working from 9am to 5pm everyday providing education, moral guidance and legal help to those behind bars.

The ministry also assists in the re-settlement of the released prisoners. There are about 28 rehabilitation centres for the ex-inmates and their children.