“Many faith groups including Alpha and Caring for Ex-Offenders are already doing significant work with offenders in prisons and in local communities and I warmly endorse the work you are doing and in particular the after care work that Caring for Ex-Offenders is seeking to develop.  We know that practical support on release can make a significant difference to a newly released prisoner and can significantly reduce the chances of that person ending up in trouble again... Thank you and may God bless you for all you have already done to bring supper to those in need and all you will do to make sure God’s will is seen to be done and His love is truly felt by those who might not otherwise feel His presence.”

Baroness Scotland, Home Office Minister of State for the Criminal Justice System and Law reform

“I warmly endorse the work you [CFEO] are doing... I would like to thank you for your work to support offenders, and those returning to the community.  It is an example of what faith communities have to contribute, and how that contribution can benefit not only the offender, and his or her family, but our society as a whole.”

The Venerable William Noblett, Chaplain General of the Prison Service - speaking at the CFEO National Conference, October 2006

“One of our key concerns is to help prisoners make the transition back into society with the support they need, to reduce the risk of them re-offending.  I am particularly pleased to learn of the network co-ordinated by Caring for Ex-Offenders of local churches and various organisations who work together in this field.  Working in partnership in this way is vital if we are to maximise the chances of reducing re-offending.”

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Criminal Justice and Offender Management

“Many churches are now working with the prison and probation services in helping ex-offenders live fulfilling and law-abiding lives on their release. Ex-offenders are met at the prison door, and great effort is devoted to helping them and their families to take part in society and in the life of their local churches. I endorse this tremendous initiative wholeheartedly. It is a wonderful sign of God's power to change lives and I hope that many local churches will support it in whatever way they can.”

The Right Reverend George Carey
former Archbishop of Canterbury

“The contribution made by the faith-based voluntary sector to the care and rehabilitation of ex-offenders can have a very real and positive impact on their lives, at a time when they most need support. I warmly encourage this work, particularly the support networks, that can help ex-offenders re-integrate into society. [Caring for Ex-Offenders] is one of the groups that makes a valuable contribution in this area. Its work is to be commended.”

Paul Goggins MP
Former Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Correctional Services

“I would like to encourage all the organisations and individuals to get more people involved, to work relentlessly to change society’s view of ex-offenders. I wish Caring for Ex-Offenders all success and hope that it will grow from strength to strength to be a dynamic annual event where knowledge and experience are shared, where volunteers are encouraged, and where caring for ex-offenders continues to be a positive action in the re-generation of the moral fibre of our nation. ”

Taken from the address given at
the First National Ex-Offenders Conference
South Africa 2002

Ben Skosana MP
Minister of Correctional Services
South Africa

“[The] Caring for Ex-Offenders programme is making a major difference to the lives of thousands of former prisoners as they seek to reintegrate themselves back into society. I warmly endorse this initiative. Stepping outside the prison gates can be a very isolating experience. [The] programme provides people with the opportunity to step off the conveyor belt of crime and to rebuild purposeful lives in their local communities.”

Michael Howard, MP
Member of Parliament for Folkestone & Hythe

“The Caring for Ex-Offenders programme… is a brilliant way to follow up… by linking young people with a church community that is willing to support them as they seek to sustain that change and be re-integrated back into society through the local church. I would encourage all churches to get involved in this work.”

Andy Hawthorne, Chief Executive
Message Trust

“The work of Caring for Ex-Offenders that began as a small part of Alpha for Prisons has now spread widely, and the lives of more and more ex-offenders are being touched as a result. It is good that more people should be drawn into the work of resettlement, which is the key to redeeming people from the cycle that leads to their constantly returning to prison.”

Peter Selby
Bishop for Prisons