Rt Rev James Langstaff was launching next month's Prisons Week at Westminster Central Hall and said the spiralling rate of suicides was "very worrying".
In 2013, 70 people took their own lives while behind bars in England and Wales.
Bishop James also raised concerns about the 37% surge in the number of serious assaults against prison staff.
"I know that people in government are pretty anxious about that and those issues are always before us," he said.
The bishop added: "Yes of course we should be putting pressure on where we can because we're interested in the wellbeing of the whole of society.
"Politics is not a thing the Church should keep out of because politics is about our wellbeing as a society and therefore in a constructive way, in a prayerful way and in an informed way to put pressure on but also to offer creative possibilities as well."
Prisons Week takes place between 16th and 22nd November, and Christians are encouraged to pray for those behind bars, for staff in jails and for the families of those locked up.
Bishop James acknowledged that it would be hard to pray for some criminals who had committed shocking crimes such as murder.
But he said: "None of us are perfect and actually we have a responsibility to pray for those who are in need and to do so not in a judgemental way.
"Yes we know that people have committed horrendous crimes sometimes but that doesn't place that person beyond the grace of God."
A Prisons Week spokesperson said: "The Prison Service is facing huge challenges with record populations of more than 85,000 and many prisons suffering from overcrowding.
"There has also been a 37% surge in serious assaults on prison staff working in these demanding conditions. The figures speak for themselves and it's clear that we need to reduce the levels of distress and despair within the system.
"We are looking to Christians as people of hope, to pray and raise awareness during Prisons Week so that those who feel burdened, fearful and worn down will know the positive impact of prayer on their lives.
"Building on that foundation of prayer, we hope that the Church will be motivated to give other kinds of support for those affected by imprisonment: time, talents and money."
Further information and resources can be found here.
Hear Bishop James' full interview with Premier's Antony Bushfield here: