In several Austrian prisons, bishops celebrate religious services with prisoners during Advent and the pre-Christmas period. Besides the liturgical celebrations, the focus is also on conversations with prisoners, pastoral care, and the distribution of gifts to inmates and their families. The prison chaplaincy in Vienna pays special attention to the prisoners’ children. At the Josefstadt prison, the chaplaincy team recently started distributing teddy bears to children waiting in the visitor area to see their incarcerated parents. The goal is to offer a sense of comfort, safety, and attention in what is often a stressful situation for children, explained Chief Chaplain Jonathan Werner. “The relatives of incarcerated people often feel alone and overwhelmed by the situation”, said the priest. In the coming days, the archbishop-elect of Vienna, Josef Grünwidl, will visit the women’s prison in Schwarzau Castle and celebrate Mass there. In Tyrol, too, special attention has been paid to prisoners. On 15 December, Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck visited the Innsbruck prison: the traditional collection of gifts organised by the prison’s ecumenical chaplaincy maintained the level of previous years. All 500 prisoners received a Christmas present “with useful items such as coffee, chocolate and hygiene products”, the Diocese of Innsbruck informed. In addition, during Advent, gifts for the prisoners’ children were purchased, wrapped and distributed in cooperation with partner organisations.