|
|
| N.C. Prison Chaplains Concerned About Future |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 01/02/2003 |
|
The annual vesting service for new state-funded prison chaplains went ahead as scheduled, even though there was no one to commission this year. Not only were there no new chaplains, but many of those who attended are afraid for their jobs. This year, the state legislature pared 24 chaplaincy positions at prisons across the state as part of a cost-cutting measure. It also called for a study to determine whether the entire prison chaplaincy program should be scrapped for a volunteer or community-funded program. 'This to me is scandalous - that we would cut the budget that helps the least of these,' said state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, referring to the phrase Jesus used to describe the poor and powerless. 'I can't help but think we're dealing with the politics of ignorance,' added Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake. Gathered in the sanctuary of Temple Beth Shalom recently, three dozen prison chaplains read a letter from Gov. Mike Easley praising their work. They prayed for one another, sang songs and commissioned five new volunteers. The chaplains and their advocates lamented what they said was the state's shortsightedness and turned the commissioning service into a rallying call to keep the program funded. Chaplain advocates say volunteers aren't trained to do the kind of interfaith work that chaplains provide daily. They cite studies that show trained chaplains can help reduce tension, decrease violent behavior and cut recidivism. Many are trained in pastoral counseling. 'We celebrate the inclusive ministry you provide' said the Rev. Mark Reamer, the chairman of the N.C. Advisory Committee on Religious Ministry in Prisons and associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh. Reamer, who volunteers at Central and Women's prisons, said he can administer the sacraments to Roman Catholic inmates, but he can't help the Muslim, Jewish or Buddhist prisoners. 'I'm no substitute for state-funded chaplains.' North Carolina employs 42 state-funded chaplains who minister to a prison population of about 33,648 inmates. Of those, 209 inmates are awaiting execution, including Ernest Basden who is scheduled to be executed Friday. Some state legislators say churches, synagogues and mosques might be able to do the work of state chaplains, and they have asked the Department of Corrections to study the feasibility of using volunteers or contracting for the work of prison chaplains in areas where no volunteers are available. Legislators said they want the report to include a cost-savings analysis. The results of the study must be turned over to a legislative subcommittee by March 1, but so far the committee doing the study has not begun its work, Kinnaird said. The service Tuesday included testimony from Otis Hardy, who served 21 years in prison for robbery. Hardy said his life was turned around by the chaplains who counseled him and allowed him to make telephone calls to his ailing daughter at a time when he was allowed only one visitor a year. 'Chaplains have truly been a blessing and an honor for me,' said Hardy who now counsels students at Cary High School and is completing a degree at St. Augustine College. 'I am what I am because of what you are.' |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Looking here the best mini puzzle game,now look it here and try to this way,such a very addition words solve mini online video game words unscramble so,don't waste the time,now connected here and use this.