As a student of Cherry
Hill Seminary, I am currently taking a course on advocacy while also
completing my internship as a prison chaplain.
Naturally, I decided to combine these two pursuits for my final
paper.
I have written a brief eight-question
survey that aims to assess Pagan advocacy work happening in prison
settings. If you work or volunteer in a
prison, and spend any amount of time with Pagan inmates, I would love to hear
from you!
Please feel free to share
this survey with anyone you know who might work with inmates serving time in a
prison setting.
Fall blessings,
Chaplain Holly
Hi Holly! I'm a volunteer chaplain in San Diego at the Consolidated Naval Brig. Your survey was posted on the Facebook group, Pagan Chaplains, and several of us have completed it already. Happy to help! I did want to pass on some comments that I think would be relevant to your research, in case you don't frequent that group
ReplyDeleteA. T. Surveys like this would be more useful if they were designed by someone with some experience volunteering. Volunteers are not advocates for inmates; we are providers of spiritual support. Appearing to be "taking sides" could place our volunteer status at risk. We are guests in a prison, and they don't have to let us in.
November 9 at 7:53am
J. M. N. I tend to agree, our perspective/policy is that we "assist in religious accommodations for the inmates *on behalf* of the institution."
November 9 at 7:25pm
D. M. Yes, what A. T. said. Questions like "how often do you have an opportunity to advocate.." don't make much sense to me. I could advocate anytime I chose to, but there is only so much rocking that particular boat will take, and I choose my battles. I think my time is better spent supporting them through my presence there twice a month, offering spiritual support.
Hello A.T., J.M.N, and D.M,
ReplyDeleteThank you all for taking the time to answer the survey. I actually have been a volunteer at a correctional Facility for the past two years. I run a weekly open Pagan circle that currently has thirty-six members. I am allowed to continue to run the Pagan group and count it towards my internship hours.
I think that 'advocacy' can be a tricky word. For many, the word advocacy conjures up political meetings and lobbying, but for this survey I am using the word in a much broader capacity.
"For the purposes of this survey, advocacy will be defined as any work that aims to change a process or policy that is negatively impacting the life of another person or group of people."
Recently one of the inmates I work with told me that in their workplace Christian inmates were allowed to decorate their area for Christmas, but they have been discouraged to decorate for Halloween/Samhain. Discussing this with the primary prison chaplain is an act of advocacy.
A lot of the advocacy type of work that I do with Pagan inmates is simply trying to get them equal access to spiritual items and events. Sometimes I can push for things form an angle that they as inmates cannot. Other times I am coaching them on how to deal with a situation.
I do try to stay as neutral as I can. I don't like being the go between for inmates and staff. Although, as a volunteer that is exactly what I am.
I am also cognizant that I am fortunate enough to live in a state that treats their incarcerated adults with quite a bit of respect. Volunteers too are afforded luxuries that many in other states don't have access to. This makes my ward far easier!
Blessings,
Holly