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An Introduction to Prison Ministry Training Series has been postponed until Spring. Please email ore@romancatholic.kingston.on.ca or maryjo@romancatholic.kingston.on.ca to be notified when sessions are being rescheduled, or if you have any questions regarding Prison Ministry.
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The Principles of Prison Ministry - How Restorative Justice Speaks to Other Ministry
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History and Overview
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There are eight federal Institutions in the Kingston area
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Chaplains work in all of these institutions and rely on volunteers
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The course was the initiative of Sister Peggy Malcolm (Sister of Charity) who is a retired chaplain and who saw the need for volunteers to be properly trained for this ministry
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This course is delivered over a 6-week period (typically one session a week). It has been growing and enjoying success these past 18 years
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Content of the Course
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The course covers topics relevant for people planning on volunteering in prison ministry including:
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“The call to ministry“, communication’s skills and boundaries, profile of a prisoner, restorative justice, security issues, ministry to families, reintegration, self care and meeting people in a prison environment
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Experts on various subject matters are invited to speak on the major themes
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The volunteers come from various faith and religious backgrounds
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Advertising for the course is done in the bulletins, by chaplains, by word of mouth and, after all these years, by reputation
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"What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"Micah 6:8
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What Volunteers Provide:
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Presence: attending/assisting with Mass or Liturgy of The Word that takes place in the Institutions
Teaching various skills sets such as:
Art( painting and knitting), music (guitar, keyboard, singing)
Courses in faith and spirituality
Life skills and restorative justice
Alternatives to Violence
Philosophy
Freeing the Human Spirit ( Yoga)
Families In Corrections
Support in the Community – The Dismas Organization and Community Chaplaincy
Accompaniment for authorized activities into the community such as attendance at Mass in a parish, community engagement support groups offered in the community, support upon release from an institution
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Key Lessons Learned/Best Practices
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Committee organizes the Prison Ministry Course and provides support and facilitation of the six week programme
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Understanding the need for volunteers in various institutions
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Understanding the needs of your volunteers
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At the end of the course evaluations and input on the course are essential to understanding what worked and how to improve
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Communication with other agencies and community groups are essential for collaborative ministry
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Providing time for dialogue, sharing and networking.
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Providing time to gather with volunteers and potential volunteers during the year for community building ,learning opportunities and support
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How can this Prison Ministry Grow to Fill Needs in Your Community
- Provincial and Federal Institutions
- Families of those incarcerated
- Children of those incarcerated that attend schools in your area
- Halfway Houses
- Community Chaplains
- Find ways to make connections in your community to provide welcoming Faith Communities for reintegration support
Practical Applications for Other Ministries
- Understand the rule set of the environment in which you are operating
- (ex. Prison, Hospital)
- Building Relationships and Trust with other Community Partners
- Sense of community for volunteers (in this case Prison Ministry Volunteers)
- Working with and leveraging the strengths of other faith communities
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