The Bishop of Rochester, the Right Reverend James Langstaff, has been
appointed to the position of Bishop to Her Majesty's Prisons, the
senior church advocate for Christian values in the criminal justice
system in England and Wales.
In
this role, Bishop Langstaff will support the practical work of the
Chaplain-General to the Prison Service and the network of 300 prison
service chaplains.
He will also develop church links with other agencies
concerned with the reform and improvement of prisons, and will speak on
criminal justice issues in the House of Lords.
Bishop Langstaff said he was "excited" by his new appointment.
"I am a huge admirer of the work of prison chaplains and look forward
to working with the Chaplain-General and ecumenical colleagues to
support that work," he said.
"It is important that we continue to engage clearly with these issues."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby said he
was "delighted" Bishop Langstaff had agreed to take on the role.
"Prison chaplains engage in front-line gospel work, providing
pastoral care and bringing the good news of God's love to thousands of
men and women in prison," he said.
Meanwhile former Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Paul West,
has been appointed Advisor to the Bishop of Worcester on Penal Affairs.
In his new role, Mr West will provide independent advice to Bishop
John Inge on penal policy and reform, in addition to wider issues
regarding the criminal justice system.
He will also act as spokesperson
for the diocese on these issues.
Mr West was Chief Constable of West Mercia between 2003 and 2011, and
was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Police Service
in 2005.
"I am delighted that [Mr West] has accepted this role," says Bishop John.
"His very wide knowledge and experience make him ideally suited for
it, and he will have a great deal to offer both the church and the wider
community in this capacity."
Mr West said he was "honoured and privileged" to have been offered the position.
"As a senior Diocesan Bishop, John Inge has a seat in the House of
Lords, which means that he is in a position to influence national policy
and the development of new legislation. I hope to be able to assist him
in this respect as well as advising him on penal affairs generally," Mr
West continued.