NGO organises visits to non-Muslim inmates nationwide to offer counselling, motivation and to facilitate rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts
PETALING JAYA: While inmates are dealing with incarceration, the pain and struggle often extends to their family members outside prison walls and for nearly four decades the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association (CPFA) has been a lifeline.
For non-Muslims inmates and their loved ones grappling with loss, stigma and uncertainty, the faith-based organisation – known in parishes as the “Catholic Prison Ministry” – has provided hope, guidance and support since 1985.
Founded as a small parish initiative at the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang, CPFA was inspired by Irish missionary nun Sister Catherine O’ Sullivan, who mobilised a group of volunteers to visit inmates at the Kajang Prison Complex and extend help to vulnerable families affected by imprisonment.
What began with just 12 volunteers has evolved into a structured social service movement across the Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca-Johor dioceses, with volunteers visiting prisons throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
“Our focus is rehabilitation and reconciliation,” said CPFA president Gnadass Amaldass.
“Inmates may be serving a sentence, but their families often serve a silent one outside the prison walls.”
In its early years, the Kajang parish prison concentrated on simple acts of compassion – listening, praying and accompanying inmates in both male and female prisons.
As awareness grew, volunteers from other parishes joined, leading to the formation of the “Archdiocesan Prison Ministry” in 1998, with around 130 volunteers, including priests, serving inmates and their families.
The establishment was registered in 2010 as the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association Selangor and in 2014 expanded to include Penang and Malacca-Johor, becoming the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association.
Today, CPFA works closely with parishes and volunteers to deliver consistent outreach in prisons nationwide.
Within prisons, volunteers conduct weekly visits offering spiritual guidance, counselling and motivation.
These sessions help inmates rebuild self-worth, confront past mistakes and find meaning during incarceration.
Mass is celebrated during major religious seasons such as Easter and Christmas while bibles in various languages are distributed to support spiritual growth.
Among CPFA’s longest-running initiatives is the Mother and Child Care Project at Kajang Women’s Prison, which for more than 20 years has provided baby food and essential supplies to incarcerated mothers and their children housed in the prison nursery.
“Sometimes it is not grand gestures that matter most, but simply showing up. For many inmates, that human presence reminds them they have not been forgotten,” said Amaldass.
CPFA’s work extends to families left behind, many of whom lose their sole breadwinner overnight.
Requests for help often come directly from inmates concerned about their children’s education and basic needs.
Currently, CPFA volunteers are assisting 15 families with school supplies, groceries, transport and emotional support, regardless of race or religion.
The association also sponsors educational opportunities for inmates, with two currently pursuing online degree programmes while still incarcerated at Kajang Prison.
“These families are trying to survive under difficult circumstances. Our role is to ensure their lives are not derailed,” said Amaldass.
Reintegration remains one of the most challenging stages for former inmates, many of whom face rejection, unemployment and homelessness upon release.
To ease the transition, CPFA collaborates with partner organisations to place released inmates in halfway homes – former male inmates at the Second Chance Community Home in Kuala Lumpur and women at the Domus Pacis Halfway Home.
CPFA also helps with transport, basic meals and clothing for those leaving prison with nothing.
