Our first course
Presence and Hope
This introductory course explores how prison chaplains in Australia listen with care, offer spiritual and pastoral support, and make room for hope in custody.
What you’ll explore
- What prison chaplains do and how they work alongside prison staff.
- How to listen well and care for people of all faiths and none.
- How boundaries and confidentiality guide everyday practice.
About the course
Presence and Hope is free and self-paced. Allow about 18–22 hours, plus optional reading and viewing. The course uses fictional scenarios and practical reflection and ends with a final assessment.
Who it’s for
Anyone curious about prison chaplaincy, including people already serving, considering volunteering or preparing for a chaplaincy role. No prior chaplaincy experience is needed.
Course modules (12)
Foundations, context and listening
- Calling, purpose and the chaplain’s role
- Understanding the prison population and cultural context
- Presence, listening and distress
Timely and coordinated care
- Prioritising pastoral care with limited resources
- New arrivals and early contact
- Crisis support and coordinated care
Ethics, belief and accessible groups
- Ethics, boundaries and role clarity
- Faith, no faith, suffering and moral injury
- Accessible groups and learning activities
Connections, sustainability and integration
- Family, release and community connections
- Workload, supervision and sustainable service
- Reflective practice and evaluating care
Training does not itself confer a professional qualification, accreditation, employment, prison access or authority to practise.
Suggest a training topic
APCN exists to help people learn together so we can better serve people in prison. By sharing what you are seeing in your work or what you would like to learn, you can help shape practical training for chaplains and volunteers.