• There are eight federal Institutions in the Kingston area

• Chaplains work in all of these institutions and rely on volunteers

• 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

• 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

• The course covers topics relevant for people planning on volunteering in  prison ministry including: 

• “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 

•  Experts on various subject matters are invited to speak on the major themes 

• The volunteers come from various faith and religious backgrounds 

• Advertising for the course is done in the bulletins, by chaplains, by word of mouth and, after all these years, by reputation

• Committee organizes the Prison Ministry Course and provides support and facilitation of the six week programme

• Understanding the need for volunteers in various institutions 

• Understanding the needs of your volunteers 

• At the end of the course evaluations and input on the course are essential to understanding what worked and how to improve

• Communication with other agencies and community groups are essential for collaborative ministry

• Providing time for dialogue, sharing and networking.

• Providing time to gather with volunteers and potential volunteers during the year for community building ,learning opportunities and support

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