CHAPLAINS AND VOLUNTEERS Chaplaincy Mission l l The

CHAPLAINS AND VOLUNTEERS

Chaplaincy Mission l l The mission of Chaplaincy Services is to assist the in maintaining public safety by: Providing pastoral care of inmates, staff, and their families; Assisting offenders in their response to the realities of their actions prior to, during and after incarceration; Assisting offenders in discovering or developing their personal faith; Partnering with the community to accomplish mutually beneficial results.

Volunteers Mission Although most American prisons have at least one full-time chaplain, without pastoral assistance many chaplains are ill equipped to meet the religious needs of inmates. To lighten their workload and to facilitate the provision of programs and services, correctional chaplains often must recruit, train, and coordinate religious volunteers (Coleman, 2003; Rogers, 2003) Coleman, J. (2003). “Chaplains: God’s partners in prison. ” Corrections Today,

THE SYSTEM q Volunteers in the criminal justice system work in Jails or Prisons facilities

JAILS • • • Operated by local sheriff Many inmates are there waiting to go to courts, bond, or to be released. Volunteers programs are usually limited in scope and duration due to inmate short stay Volunteers need to deal with suicides attempts, mood swings that range from remorse to repentance to anger and hostility (Bayse, 1993) Volunteers help inmates prepare for the transition to prison Once convicted inmates are transferred to either State or Federal Prison System

STATE and FEDERAL PRISONS STATE SYSTEM FEDERAL SYSTEM • Operated by a state agency • Strict chain of command • Convicted of an offence against the state • Most have a Volunteer Coordinator in the central office • Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) • Convicted of an offense against the United States

Two Fundamentals for a Successful Chaplain /Volunteer Team

FUNDAMENTALS q Point 1 A volunteer must understand the role of a chaplain to develop a health prison or jail ministry q Point 2 A volunteer must understand how to conduct ministry in this specialized environment

Understanding Chaplaincy ministry q Point 1 Chaplains are authentic religious leaders that are endorsed by their denomination or religious affiliation to conduct traditional clergy roles. Traditional roles: Religious services/worship Officiate weddings Conduct funerals/memorials Preach/ Teach

Ministry In A Specialized Environment q Point 2 Jails and Prisons are multi-faith environments. They reflect all the ethnic groups and religions of the culture of society today. Therefore, chapel volunteers must understand that jail and prison ministry occur in a system.

Non Traditional Specialized Roles q Point 2 In order to maintain the smooth operation of the system Chaplains have some non traditional roles that volunteers must accept and support to conduct ministry in this environment. Non Traditional roles: System of security Time scheduling Systematic documentation

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM “ Chaplains are mandated in law to ensure the freedom to practice religious faith is provided equally to all prisoners” Charles Riggs (1998) The Prison Minister

BECOMING PART OF THE SYSTEM q Volunteers are invited into prisons and jails to provide specific services q Activities must be scheduled in strict accordance with existing institutional routines, rules, and regulations q Training and Orientation is Critical

PRINCIPLES FOR THE CHAPLAIN VOLUNTEER TEAM 1. Mutual respect for personal religious beliefs and affiliations if your theological views differ 2. Cooperation with the system without compromising individual standards 3. Remember the goal is ministry not competition