Fellow's Profile
Risteárd McDonald
Fellow's Profile
Risteárd McDonald
Exploring Nordic Approaches to Prison Chaplaincy and Faith Services
Fellowship
- Themes
- Focus
-
Helping UK prisons to implement best-practice approaches to prison chaplaincy and faith services.
- Countries
- Fellowship year
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2026
- Locality
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East Midlands
Contact
Biography
I'm most recently Head of People Policy at the UK Ministry of Justice, with a background in criminal justice policy, equality, and HR leadership. My Fellowship focuses on prison chaplaincy and faith and belief services, learning from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland to understand how spiritual and pastoral care is delivered in day-to-day prison life. The purpose is to produce practical recommendations for UK prisons that support improved safety, better spiritual wellbeing, and a stronger rehabilitative focus.
I'm motivated by growing up in a highly deprived area affected by crime, and by seeing first-hand, through my personal, academic, and professional experience, how chaplaincy can reduce isolation and encourage change. I publish academically in criminology and religious studies, and I've worked across government and the third sector, including as a magistrate and in police and charity governance. I hope to translate Nordic learning into an actionable plan that strengthens faith and pastoral care, improves prison culture, and supports better outcomes for people in custody and the communities they return to.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
