The Synodal Department for Prison Ministry was established by the Decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on March 5, 2010. Its main task is the interaction of the Church and the penal system of the Russian Federation. Bishop Irinarch (Grezin) was the first chairman of the Department from the moment of its formation until his death (2024). Priest Kirill Markovsky became the successor of his eminence in the field of prison ministry.

Over the decade and a half of the Department's work, there have been major positive changes in the relationship between the Church and the Federal Penitentiary Service. Two unprecedented reforms took place in the post-revolutionary history of the Russian penitentiary system: the posts of assistant heads of territorial bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for organizing work with believers were introduced into the structure of bodies and institutions of the penal enforcement system, and from January 1, 2024, assistant heads of pre-trial detention centers for work with believers. Work is underway to introduce positions of assistant heads of correctional institutions for working with believers.

There are Orthodox churches, chapels, and prayer rooms on the territory of almost every colony and pre-trial detention center, where services are regularly held. Currently, 629 churches and chapels, 299 prayer rooms are located in penitentiary institutions and bodies, 41 churches are under construction, and more than 1,074 clergy attend places of detention (including 260 prison chaplains on the staff of institutions and bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia).

In 2024 alone, more than 7,850 Liturgies were celebrated in places of detention, and over 3,700 convicts received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Clergy do a lot of work on the spiritual care of suspects, accused and convicted persons, as well as prison staff, actively participate in the activities of Public Monitoring commissions, Public Councils under the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia and its territorial bodies, interreligious working groups, and make a significant contribution to the prevention of extremism and suicide in places of detention.

"The Church carries out an important mission in places of detention, which is difficult to overestimate," said Priest Kirill Markovsky, Acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry. – Its purpose is to help a person who has stumbled to gain faith, understanding of the meaning and laws of life, to give hope to the prisoner, to comfort, inspire, and assist in correction, which is possible for every person who turns to God with repentance.