Conferencia Episcopal Española publishes 2025 prison pastoral care report

The Spanish Episcopal Conference published its 2025 prison pastoral care report on September 24, 2026. The report, released by the Department of Prison Pastoral Care under the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care, shows that more than 40,000 people had direct contact with the Church during 2025. This outreach included prisoners, their families, and victims.

The department carried out 1,076 programs throughout the year, with 936 occurring inside prisons and 140 taking place outside. These efforts involved 159 chaplains and 1,910 volunteers. At the end of 2025, Spain had 62,398 people in prison.

José María Carod, a Mercedarian and director of the department, stated that the Church's presence often works quietly to support and improve the lives of those serving sentences. The annual release of this report coincides with the feast of the Virgin of Mercy, the patron saint of prisoners and correctional institutions.