Irish prisoners constitute the second largest ethnic group in the British prison system and, if prisoners from Northern Ireland are included, they are the largest ethnic group, Fr Gerry McFlynn of the Irish Chaplaincy in London has noted, writes Sarah Mac Donald.
He was speaking to The Tablet following celebrations to mark the Chaplaincy’s 60 years of work in support of Irish emigrants, notably Irish prisoners, Travellers and the elderly.
Last weekend, Bishop John Kirby, chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Emigrants, celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Kilburn, north-west London.
In his homily, he said the care of prisoners was still a very important part of the service of the Chaplaincy, which is an agency of the Irish bishops supported by grants from the Irish state.
Fr McFlynn, a chaplain and project manager with the Chaplaincy and the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas, praised Bishop Kirby for highlighting the plight of some Irish people in Britain who continue to need help and support from the agency.
Nearly 45 per cent of the Irish in British jails come from a Traveller background and many have learning difficulties and “suffer discrimination within the criminal justice system,” he said.
The Chaplaincy’s main focus with prisoners is helping them cope with their situations through prison visits, monitoring their health, and assisting them with financial and educational issues, as well as advocating on their behalf in respect of repatriation.
Asked about the possible impact of Brexit, Fr McFlynn said that it could become a concern if it “threatens the free movement of Travellers within the UK and raises the prospect of the deportation of Irish prisoners”.
The Chaplaincy is currently trying to get the Irish Government to repatriate Irish prisoners who want to serve their sentence closer to their families.
“This is our main advocacy issue at present and the one causing us most concern. Some prisoners have been waiting years to be repatriated and the impact this is having on them and their families back in Ireland is worrying and quite unacceptable.”
On the issue of older Irish people in Britain, Fr McFlynn said there was much work to be done in this area.
“We help and support elderly people, especially those living alone in often squalid conditions, bereft of family and social support, leading hidden lives of quiet desperation. We visit them and engage with social services on their behalf.”
Bishop Kirby also paid tribute to the Irish people whose work contributed to the prosperity of Britain and who helped the Irish economy through postal remittances sent to families back home in Ireland.
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