The following is the introduction to a text written by Chaplain Richard Moyer. It is a survey of the many aspects of Chaplaincy that will assist those desiring to follow God's calling to prison ministry. With the recent events of our world the prison chaplaincy has changed. An addendum to this text considering the impact of these events is being compiled. Chaplain Moyer does not claim to know everything about chaplaincy. However, after nearly four decades he has navigated the major aspects of a dynamic prison ministry with the focus of Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and the Life of the Christian inside the prison and after incarceration.
Recidivism-The Elephant in the Room
Chapter one sets the tone of chaplaincy by opening the eyes of the seeker placing their feet squarely on the ground of the ‘unspoken’ reality of this unique ministry—recidivism—a force to be reckoned with. One could have the most successful, organized effective ministry yet fail to demonstrate an impact on the nemesis of reoffending. This often leads to an uncomfortable confrontation with administration, budget concerns and faith. It is a very humbling experience to have an Administrator look you square in the eyes and question your value or significance to the correctional industry. Trying to explain the religious or theological impact does little to impress most administrators and their budgetary personnel. Most rookie chaplains believe that their effective ministry is more important than recidivism rates. And rightly so. However, chaplains will need to prepare a legitimate response to their very reason for existence in corrections using financial and administrative terms that satisfy the secular value of prison chaplaincy.
I have always taken the time to carefully consider what the real value of chaplaincy is besides the religious aspects. Like many missionaries the chaplain must be able to grasp the culture they intend to love. This includes administration and custody members. Instead of creating a division of interests I have always ‘come alongside’ the other programs that are attempting to do the same as the chaplain, break the cycle of crime one life at a time. The correction industry is filled with valuable programs that, if attended and taken seriously, will provide the released inmate with the tools they need to overcome most formidable obstacles. The problem is that most inmates fail to recognize their value. With insignificant motive they simply choose not to participate. This is where chaplaincy provides an ‘added value’ that does motivate change. The one aspect of religious programming that is unique and different from the other programs being offered to the inmate prior and post release, is the ‘added value’[1] aspect of aiming at transforming the entire person for all eternity. The physical, the mental as well as the heart/soul are targeted for transformation not simple reformation. And the most influential and dynamic person to bring this type of programming to corrections is the chaplain with strong God anointed leadership.
The history of corrections has always depended on the religious community for their volunteers. This network of religious organizations is the bridge corrections depends on for in-prison programming and out-of-prison aftercare. This process for reentry should begin in the prison as soon as one is sentenced. The Chaplain coordinates the programming that will ‘transform’ not ‘reform’ the inmate for successful life after prison. The faithful community is a critical and unique ‘value added’ fellowship with the directives from Christ to minister to the ‘least of these.’ Reducing recidivism has a far greater chance of success with those who commit to their faith for a ‘new life’ in the community than the generic programming of corrections.
[1] “Added value” is a term used by Everly, George. S. in Pastoral Crisis Intervention. Ellicott City, MD: Chevron Pub, 2007. Everly suggests, “. . . the pastoral orientation to crisis intervention brings with it a ‘value added’ over and above the traditional non-pastoral approach to crisis intervention. This corpus of ‘value added’ ingredients has been enumerated above as mechanisms of action, or agents of change, and appear to be unique to the pastoral perspective as it employs religious, spiritual, and theological resources in an effort to ‘shepherd’ an individual from distress and dysfunction to restoration.” P. 12-15
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