Chaplaincy Services

National Chaplains' Conference Declaration 1997

INTRODUCTION

BRIDGE BUILDERS ALL

Bridges are built with thought, hard work and prayer. A need is discovered, and the bridge is constructed in many different ways by many different people working in many different ways. The conference encouraged new levels of trust, openness and enthusiasm in the movement towards effective teamwork, the safe reintegration of offenders and a justice that restores wholeness.

NO EASY TASK

Work and ministry in corrections can be difficult and harsh. This came to vivid light at the end of the conference when 3 colleagues learned of extremely difficult situations facing them upon their return. It concluded with prayerful support for colleagues in difficulty, for our world and for our work.

NEXT STEPS

This report should be used to help identify priorities and locate the energy to work on them. It will be of use to such groups as Chaplaincy Management, Regional In-Service meetings, volunteers, community chaplains, and multi-disciplinary gatherings.

Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard - Some Bridges of the Future

1. Multidisciplinary approach: We are going to be called to bring an authentic spiritual perspective along the perspectives of many other professionals. Increased cooperation will call for increased authenticity and the ability to give account for what we do and how we dot it.

2. Families: The family dimension of corrections is too badly neglected. I see great hope in the development of the CFCN (Canadian Families in Corrections Network) and I foresee chaplains playing an even more important role in relationships to families.

3. Provincial Heads of Chaplaincy: More and more the 2-year dividing line appears arbitrary when looked at from a spiritual perspective. We have so 'much in common' and we should make intentional efforts to significantly increase the areas of cooperation.

4. Academic World: I do hope that in 4-5 years the faculties of theology not offering courses in restorative justice issues will feel isolated. There is significant development happening in this area and the fact that the Queen's academic senate will decide in August 1997 about the possibility of an M. Div. with a full track on criminal justice issues in a restorative justice perspective is cause for rejoicing.

5. Restorative Justice: In 1991, CSC Chaplaincy defined itself as 'seeking restorative justice'. In the next few years, an in-depth reflection on what restorative justice is must take place. Restorative justice can be a wonderful bridge toward the Aboriginal people and the other faiths as we all reflect together on the call for justice in the best of our sacred scriptures.

6. Street Level Connections: We must become more and more aware of the young people whose home is the street of our cities. Many of these street people are bound to fill our jails. We will develop community chaplaincies fast enough to cover all needing cities. A discovery and a partnering with street ministries is the way to go for a coordinated effort at prevention.

7. Chaplains-Writers: We cannot wait for theologians or others to write about pastoral ministry in prisons and outside of prisons. We must develop our own expertise and encourage the gifted with the pen to produce theological reflections, novels, articles... What God has done in our midst is worth telling.

8. Ex-offenders: More than ever before, ex-offenders who are successful have something significant to contribute to our overall pastoral approach. We must learn from them, walk with them as encouragers and together reshape our pastoral strategies.

9. International Bridge: As we have received much, we are called to give in return. Our international network is going to significantly increase in the next few years. The present Training-Renewal Venture (Jeffrey Moduwa from Papua Guinea is in our midst) is but one example of what is possible with the cooperation of many. The partnering of countries with other countries will hopefully be happening. Why not venture in exchange of chaplains for mutual learning and growth?

These are some of the bridges of the future that I envisage. The plans for the bridges are at different stages of development but all will become true, solid bridges in the future.

Ms. Lucie McClung (SDC)
(Transcript)

We are indeed fortunate in Canada that the essence of what we do in corrections is actually spelled out in legislation. There is consistency between what we, as professionals in the field of corrections, believe is important and what the government (and, therefore, Canadians) instruct us to do.

To "actively encourage and assist offenders to become law-abiding citizens" is actually the law of the land. It is social policy. It is important, vital to the very spirit of being a Canadian and reflective of what we see as being necessary to safeguard as a healthy Canadian society. Dire que l'on est chanceux d'avoir une correspondance entre la loi et notre propre stratégie correctionnelle n'est pas dire que c'est une tâche facile. Et, dire que l'on est chanceux n'est pas dire que tout ce que l'on fait est parfait ou que l'on ne pourrait ou ne devait pas faire mieux.

On croit qu'on peut et doit faire mieux dans le domaine de la réalisation de nos efforts et on reconnait que nous ne pouvons pas rencontrer nos objectifs sans aide.

We need help. We cannot go it alone. Actually, I feel pretty comfortable in asking for your help because I know that you share our values in terms of the potential of the individual. When we talk about an offender, we are talking about an individual in serious difficulty. I know that you represent a tradition of partnering - reaching out - seeking, finding and drawing upon many people in the community and I know that you continue today to look for opportunities. I am aware of, for example, the concept of Circles of Support (which by the way we will financially support to explore its expansion); the Renewal Centre in Springhill and many, many more which I understand you have shared among yourselves this week.

So, what do we need? We have some ideas, captured in the Task Force Report on Reintegration. This Report does not represent all of the thinking about safe reintegration. Some will even say it is too narrowly focused on management issues and this is true because of what it was intended to do. We had something to settle. We need now to focus on the people side of reintegration. This cannot be done at NHQ; it can only be done in a face-to-face manner with an offender.

J'aimerais vous suggérer certains domaines où je crois que l'on a besoin de votre aide et ce n'est pas une liste exhaustive.

A) Besoin de créer une atmosphere d'énergie et d'encouragement dans nos unités. Cela est peut-être un peu surprenant. … Je n'ai nul doute que le personnel est engagé dans notre Mission. Toutefois, avec l'ampleur des problèmes auxquels on fait face, on peut, au fil des années, devenir paralysé. L'aspect humain n'est pas à négliger et parfois un mot d'encouragement est le coup de pousse nécessaire.

Intervention is basically giving energy. We need, therefore, to have some in order to give to offenders in their efforts to change.

B) We need "NOISY" (as in "LOUD") partners:

• who speak out on behalf of what we do;
• who are there in easier times as in the more difficult ones;
• who call out for Justice - and I applaud the decision of the IFC to publicly issue a "Call for Justice".
• who will remind us that we are not alone in our endeavour, and
• who will teach us how to become better partners with you and others from the community

We need to assist individuals to cross particular barriers.

J'aimerais dire quelques mots sur ce qui pourrait être envisagé comme étant un probleme. Je réfère ici à la confidentialité. Je respecte votre position par rapport à la confidentialité et j'aimerais même le comprendre pour davantage tirer profit de votre expérience et de votre connaissance dans le domaine d'aide auprès des personnes incarcérées. Je vous invite à faire une réflexion pour voir comment resserrer les liens entre les divers intervenants qui agissent auprès d'une personne.

In conclusion, let there be no doubt of the will and commitment of the CSC to continue its efforts toward a better and safe reintegration. We are committed to liaise with Canadian communities and I would like to thank you for your support and for the quality of our partnership which is based upon respect.

Ms. Mary Jo Leddy
(Notes)

Society tends to find its purpose through fighting its enemies. With the fall of the Soviet Union new enemies are needed. The wide use of prison for unwanted immigrants and criminals can be seen in this perspective.

Justice that is focussed on individual rights and property leads to a divided society, a society of walls and garrisons, instead of bridges to freedom. We must build new links which are holistic and inclusive, which restore people to the whole society.

FINAL PLENARY DISCUSSION

END OF THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION

1. There is a need for improved participation in multidisciplinary dialogue in corrections.

2. We need to improve our interfaith worship and dialogue.

3. We need to develop increased sensitivity to gender issues.

4. Community chaplains need help.

5. Training should be more "professional development" with an emphasis on values rather than skill acquisition.

6. Prison abolitionists have something to teach us.

7. We should promote justice for First Nations people who are over-represented in prisons, and the improvement of relationships between chaplains and elders.