NCJ Number
53035
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 54-61
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE OF PRISON CHAPLAINS, BASED IN PART ON OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING VISITS WITH THREE CHAPLAINS WHO TAKE DIVERSE APPROACHES TO THEIR WORK IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS IN PRISONS IS REVIEWED BRIEFLY. IT IS NOTED THAT AT ONE TIME RELIGIOUS TRAINING WAS THE ONLY REHABILITATION PROGRAM OFFERED IN MANY PRISONS, WITH CHAPLAINS ENJOYING CENTER STAGE AS THE ONLY TREATMENT STAFF. THE SPLIT BETWEEN LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE CHAPLAINS--BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME INVOLVED IN PSYCHOLOGY, COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL WORK AND THOSE WHO STRESS EVANGELISM--IS DISCUSSED. CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY SOME CHAPLAINS OVER 'NEW' RELIGIONS ARE NOTED, WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO CHARLES COLSON'S EFFORTS TO BRING THE BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN FAITH INTO THE PRISONS. ALSO NOTED IS THE CHAPLAINS' CONCERN THAT THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY RELIGIOUS SERVICES COORDINATORS--AN IDEA THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED BY FEDERAL AND STATE CORRECTIONS SYSTEMS. THE COORDINATORS WOULD BE NONORDAINED LAY PERSONS WHO WOULD COORDINATE RELIGIOUS PROGRAMMING IN PRISONS, CALLING ON CLERGY FROM THE OUTSIDE AS NEEDED. PROFILES ARE PRESENTED OF THREE PRISON CHAPLAINS: AN EVANGELICAL MINISTER AT THE MAXIMUM-SECURITY FEDERAL PRISON AT LEAVENWORTH, KANS.; A PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN WHO HOLDS AN OFF-BEAT, PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF HIS MINISTRY AT THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL FACILITY AT VACAVILLE; AND A FRANCISCAN FRIAR WHO REJECTS PREACHING IN FAVOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL WORK COUNSELING AT THE ADOLESCENT RECEPTION CENTER AT RIKERS ISLAND, N.Y. EACH CHAPLAIN EXPLAINS HIS APPROACH TO WORKING WITH INMATES. THE PROFILES ALSO PROVIDE GLIMPSES OF THE CHAPLAINS AT WORK. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE ARTICLE. (LKM)