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December 2011
Again, this year, Majors Colin and Brenda DeVault were able to provide three Christmas services here at BCJS to the English Protestant male and female populations. Next year, they intend to include a service for the Spanish Protestants. In addition to this, they gathered enough warm socks and chocolate candy to bring holiday cheer to our many inmates for the annual Christmas/Holiday distribution.
Realizing that the Christmas celebration was to fall on a Sunday this year, we made an effort and succeeded at ensuring that all Christian inmates who were able to attend receive a special Christmas service during the month.
September 2011
During the month of September, two significant programs commenced: one in the jail, and the other in community. The ALPHA Course is a 15 week interactive program for those who are beginning to explore, or are in the process of delving more deeply into the meaning of life. Though it is presented from a Christian perspective, it is open to non-Christians as well. We currently have twenty-five men in the jail on the attendance list and others waiting to participate.
The other program is based in community and seeks to assist ex-offenders with their re-entry into society with the help of volunteers from local churches. Formerly known as “The Halfway Church”, it is now referred to as “New Road Ministry.” Chaplain Paul Long, the re-entry Chaplain for BCJS coordinates this operation along with Michael Kaucher, the Executive Director of the Reading Berks Conference of Churches. This program has been revamped to provide a greater focus on mentoring and assisting former prisoners to recognize and accomplish their goals. Volunteer training and the relocation of the program to a more appropriate section of the city, can be instrumental in attracting those sincerely seeking to change the direction of their lives.
August 2011
Recent interactions with three people released from BCJS or DOC, and who have since returned to jail, have raised some concerns regarding a gap in the process of reentry into society. A well known Chinese proverb seems to express something of the problem, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." One of the accounts from a religious volunteer helped illustrate this point. He went to a supermarket with a former inmate who had spent much of his life in and out of jail. The volunteer invited him to go to the deli and order some meats, etc. The man appeared uncomfortable, and said to the volunteer, "I
don't know how." Though it became a teachable moment, unfortunately it had to be learned shortly after he was told that he was "free." People handed one type of freedom, often find themselves bound by a lack of experience in things that most of us take for granted.
Unfamiliarity with the decorum expected when entering certain public offices caused another man to be approached by security. The sense of humiliation and inadequacy can be overwhelming for those who have spent much of their lives in an environment where they were not required to have certain social skills. The three people mentioned above, returned to what they knew best and back to jail.
As Chaplaincy staff, we realize that the scope of religion extends to the health and well being of the whole person and incorporates the universal principles of life. As we become more sensitized to the multi-faceted needs of prisoners, we intend to make a greater effort to encourage them to better utilize the services currently offered inside and outside of the walls.
The Berks County Prison/Jail System is under contract with the Reading Berks Conference of Churches for the provision of jail chaplains and chapel staff for the provision of religious services and programs for the entire inmate community. Approximately 400 congregations work cooperatively with the chapel staff to assure that the religious needs of the inmates are met.
The following supportive services are also provided by chaplain staff and approximately 200 volunteers to connect inmates with the outside community for rehabilitation and continued growth:
- Weekly one on one chapel visits between inmates and clergy, or designated religious representatives
- The weekly “Halfway Church” ministry provides a sense of community around a shared meal, along with support, prayer and fellowship for released inmates
- The Lazarus Project Team Mentoring program provides a healthy support system for inmates nearing release, and for eligible individuals who were recently released into the community
During the winter holidays, congregations and other organizations often place a greater emphasis on reaching out to prisoners. There is an awareness of the heaviness weighing on inmates because of the separation from family and friends. Each year staff and volunteers tour the jail, going from cell to cell with gifts of warm socks and chocolate candies. This year a volunteer remarked that he was astounded at the gratitude and joy exhibited by so many of the inmates who received these items. He expressed his wish that we had more to give, but realized that what was given was not nearly as important as how it was given! The real gift was to look into the eyes of the inmate, acknowledging him as a brother.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) These words are not spoken to angels, but to sinful, broken, wounded human beings who are challenged to become all that we were created to be. In the same chapter of this account, we hear, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was a symbol of God’s indissoluble covenant with humanity and all creation. Looking into the eyes of another, and exclaiming (aloud or silently) the words, “You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth” is one very empowering act! Some of us were empowered by the inmates that day, and we trust that they too were empowered by us. Unlike material gifts, these are clearly the exchanges that set captives free; the exchanges that loose the chains that bind.
Each of us is continuously called out of our comfort zone, to uncover the reality of God’s Presence, God’s Kingdom in and among us. Laborers are called by name into the vineyard of this jail. If and when you hear your name, you may call Chaplain Eileen McKeown at 610-208-4800 x4375.
