The Bishop of Portsmouth has said he is 'uncomfortable' with the closure of two prisons in his diocese. The Right Reverend Christopher Foster has promised support for prisoners and staff at Kingston Prison in Portsmouth and Camp Hill Prison on the Isle of Wight. The government announced this week that Kingston, Camp Hill and several other prisons across England would be closing on economic grounds. The Ministry of Justice is planning to replace the facilities with a new 'super prison' holding more than 2,000 prisoners. Bishop Foster, who has visited the prisons in person, said: “I admit to feeling uncomfortable at closing prisons purely on ‘economic’ grounds.'For me, the bigger question is whether prisons are doing their job in terms of social justice. 'Are they able to rehabilitate prisoners so that they are better educated, understand the impact of their crimes and want to turn their lives around?

Pray: for the prison service, inmates and staff. Pray that any changes will support the criminal justice system and improve re-offending rates. (Ps.142:7)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/bishop.regrets.prison.closures/31434.htm