La Moye was originally built to hold 140 inmates

The overcrowding, plus refurbishment work being carried out at La Moye Prison, means the chapel is being used as a recreation area.

There are plans for a temporary chapel while a more permanent one is built.

The prison's chaplain, Captain John Le Page, says he hopes things return back to normal as quickly as possible.

Christmas thoughts

Captain Le Page said he and the prisoners are finding it difficult not having a space in which to worship and not being able to use the chapel at La Moye is making his job much harder.

Jersey's prison has about 170 prisoners at the moment. The facility was originally built to hold just 140 inmates.

Captain Le Page says he hopes things return back to normal as quickly as possible.

He said:

Meanwhile, Captain Le Page is encouraging people to think about prisoners at La Moye in the lead up to Christmas, which is a more difficult time for prisoners than normal because of being separated from their families.

He said he will be offering religious services and on Christmas Day and that he will be delivering a letter and gift to each inmate.