St Nicholas Events from Jiřice and Rýnovice: Prisoners Spreading Joy and Hope

photo: Pavel Rakušan / VOLONTÉ CZECH

During the pre-Christmas period, two St Nicholas events took place in which prisoners, prison staff and representatives of VOLONTÉ joined forces. Thanks to their mutual support, activities were created that brought joy to children and mothers alike.

The first event took place on 3 December in cooperation with Rýnovice Prison. Accompanied by staff and educators, prisoners visited a shelter for mothers with children in Stráž nad Nisou. They dressed up as St Nicholas, devils and angels and prepared an afternoon for the children full of magical atmosphere, reminiscent of a traditional family St Nicholas visit. As part of the preparations, a collection was organised among the prisoners to create St Nicholas gift bags for all the children.

The event is also covered in an article by the Czech Prison Service titled “Mikulášská besídka ve Věznici Rýnovice ukázala sílu tradice” (St Nicholas Party in Rýnovice Prison Showed the Strength of Tradition), available at: https://www.vs.gov.cz/organizacni-jednotky/veznice-rynovice/clanky/detail/mikulasska-besidka-ve-veznici-rynovice-ukazala-silu-tradice

The second event, called “Journey to St Nicholas”, took place on 6 December thanks to the staff of the Open Prison Jiřice and prisoners who actively participated in the preparation and delivery of the programme. For the clients of the Domov Pod Lipou facility – people with various types of intellectual disabilities – they prepared a symbolic journey through Advent. The participants met figures such as St Barbara, Perchta, St Nicholas and devils; there were also carols and Christmas songs, and the event ended with St Nicholas gifts for everyone.

Both St Nicholas visits clearly show how cooperation between prisons, social services and non-profit organisations can create space for joy and human connection, while at the same time fostering responsibility, empathy and positive change among prisoners.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in these events. Our thanks go to the participating prisons and their staff who contributed to the preparation and implementation, to the Prison Chaplaincy Service, Pavel Zvolánek, and also to Pardubice Prison for donating toys for the children.