title: James Ridge (priest)
text: # James Ridge (priest)
  
  The Venerable James Scott Ridge has been Chaplain-General of Prisons (and Archdeacon of Prisons) since 2018.
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  Ridge was born in 1977 and educated at Exeter University, Selwyn College, Cambridge, and Westcott House, Cambridge.
  
  ## Ordained ministry
  
  The Venerable Ridge was ordained deacon in 2005 and priest in 2006. After a curacy in Halstead he became a prison chaplain. He was at HM Prison Chelmsford from 2009 to 2016 and HM Prison Wayland from then until his appointment as archdeacon.
  
  