IT is estimated that at any one time, there are approximately 1,200 Irish people in prison overseas.
In 1985, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas was established by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, in response to serious concerns regarding the number of Irish men and women in UK prisons.
These deeply held concerns related to their trials and subsequent imprisonments. The ICPO works for all Irish prisoners wherever they are: it makes no distinction in terms of religious faith, the nature of the prison conviction, or of a prisoner's status.
ICPO provides information to prisoners on issues such as repatriation and deportation, and assists in making referrals to post-release support agencies for those returning to Ireland in need of such support. It lobbies prison authorities, state officials and others, on the needs of its clients whether they are of a legal, medical, educational or practical nature.
A hardship fund allows ICPO to provide grants to prisoners where access to food, water and medical treatment are very real concerns.
Loneliness and isolation is common amongst Irish people imprisoned overseas. The ICPO operates an extensive prison visiting programme in Britain and elsewhere and provides a newsletter twice yearly to its clients. ICPO also provides a pen friend scheme, language books and dictionaries where needed.
In recognition of the hardship endured by prisoners' families, ICPO offers assistance with prison visits, provides information about the different issues affecting their loved one in prison and holds a family information day twice yearly.
The ICPO has contact with Irish people in prisons in more than 30 countries, the majority of whom are in the UK, followed by the US, Australia and a range of countries in Europe, South and Central America and the Far East.
The work of ICPO offers an important form of institutional witness to the gospel. Its vision is rooted in Biblical teaching: "He has sent me to announce good news to the poor, to proclaim release for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind; to let the broken victims go free" (Luke 4:18-19); and mindful of Christ's words in the parable of the last judgement: "I was in prison and you visited me" (Matt 25:35).
It is an expression of the commitment of Catholic social teaching to provide special care for those who are vulnerable.
ICPO, both by word and example, in practical and pastoral actions, and in cooperation with other religious and secular groups has, in the name of the bishops of Ireland, responded to the special plea of the Holy Father when he visited Ireland and asked that "the care of prisoners be made a priority".
ICPO staff and volunteers have a deep commitment to supporting prisoners' families. Research has shown that problems faced by families with a relative imprisoned abroad are exacerbated by the cost of foreign travel, language and communication difficulties and dealing with unfamiliar prison bureaucracies and legal systems.
It can be a very frightening and traumatic experience having a loved one imprisoned in a foreign country.
ICPO is also grateful for the ongoing support from public service, government departments and the voluntary sector, and the mutually beneficial working relationship which exists between all.
Pen-friend volunteers are a special part of ICPO's work. For some of those in prison, a pen-friend's letter is the only link they have with the outside world.
Regular letters from the pen-friend volunteers to prisoners provides an important contact with home and the reassurance that someone takes an interest in their welfare. It is a noble tradition - some of St Paul's greatest letters were written in a prison cell to communities he had visited on previous occasions.
The hospitality of the gospel is directed at those who are vulnerable and are in need. This is the tradition that we at the Irish Council for Emigrants and the ICPO inherit and aspire to.
We are asked to bring this rich and inspiring tradition to bear on the challenges we face today. As we mark the 30th anniversary of ICPO, we think of all migrants who seek new hope and new opportunity.
We commit to removing barriers that impede the progress of the human person who has right to share the goods of this world.
There is a growing amount of literature which reveals that for many migrants, the Church is the centre of their lives outside of their jobs.
These findings highlight that the tradition of migrant care is not just a feature of bygone days, it is a living tradition that we are privileged to participate in.
Let us truly honour this privilege by taking time today to discern how we can better serve Irish prisoners abroad and their families.
:: Dr John Kirby is Bishop of Clonfert and chairman of the Council for Emigrants of the Irish Bishops' Conference. A conference to mark the 30th anniversary of Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas was held in Dublin Castle on Tuesday.
