CHAPLAINS AND CHAPLAINS AND VOLUNTEERSVOLUNTEERS

Chaplaincy MissionChaplaincy Mission 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 MissionVolunteers 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,

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 SYSTEMTHE SYSTEM

Volunteers in the criminal justice system work in Jails or Prisons facilities

Volunteers in the criminal justice system work in Jails or Prisons facilities

JAILSJAILS• 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

• 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 and FEDERAL PRISONS

STATE 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

STATE 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 SYSTEM•Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)•Convicted of an offense against the United States

FEDERAL SYSTEM•Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)•Convicted of an offense against the United States

Two Fundamentals for a Successful Chaplain

/Volunteer Team

Two Fundamentals for a Successful Chaplain

/Volunteer Team

FUNDAMENTALSFUNDAMENTALS

Point 1 A volunteer must understand the role of a chaplain to develop a health prison or jail ministry

Point 2 A volunteer must understand how to conduct ministry in this specialized environment

Point 1 A volunteer must understand the role of a chaplain to develop a health prison or jail ministry

Point 2 A volunteer must understand how to conduct ministry in this specialized environment

Understanding Chaplaincy ministry

Understanding Chaplaincy ministry

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/worshipOfficiate weddingsConduct funerals/memorialsPreach/ Teach

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/worshipOfficiate weddingsConduct funerals/memorialsPreach/ Teach

Ministry In A Specialized Environment

Ministry In A Specialized Environment

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.

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

Non Traditional Specialized Roles

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

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 FREEDOMRELIGIOUS 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

“ 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

BECOMING PART OF THE SYSTEM

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

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

PRINCIPLES FOR THE CHAPLAIN VOLUNTEER

TEAM

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

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