Given my own experiences with paroled felons this seems an extremely ill-advised course of action. While there are a few inmates who truly find Jesus in prison , the percentage of those who are sincere is minuscule. Church, for most inmates is, at best, a diversion. Attending services or availing themselves of spiritual counseling is a break from the tedium of prison life. It is a chance to socialize without a high level of scrutiny from guards, it affords them an opportunity to pass along messages, contraband and, for many, it is a chance to practice their con artist skills.
There are many preachers, priests and ministers through out this country who are truly spiritual guides. Unfortunately, there are far too many hucksters and con artists posing as emissaries of God. The plan of a State agency to train, at taxpayer expense, more of this ilk is monumentally unwise.
I agree wholeheartedly, Hols. This is downright creepy, in fact.
ReplyDeleteFor three-plus years, my office was directly across the hall from the chaplain in our county jail. It was a continuing education, watching the inmates visiting that office. At least once a week I'd have a nice conversaion with the chaplain.
ReplyDeleteStrange - - the full-time, paid staff were fully aware that most of their clientele were determined to play the system. Somehow, though, they managed to maintain the feeling that, if they only helped even ten per cent, they were doing well.
It was the community volunteers and "lay ministers" who wanted the run of the jail who managed to be regularly conned. They also couldn't help but feel that the security regulations somehow really didnt apply to them. The regular chaplains had to ease those out of the program fairly often.
I agree: the new program of seminary-behind-bars has little prospect for positive results. Who knows what mischief will be wrought by newly "ordained" and recently released "clergy" returning to visit in their former residences . . .
JPG
I agree, for those few that find peace through the Lord, that's great, but I would believe it is very, very few. The rest see a system to get out of jail sooner with a skill they can use to rip off even more people.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who was a prison chaplain in Arizona, mid-way between Tucson and Phoenix. He knew what was going on. His permission was needed for the inmates to do a lot of things. Keeping in mind of the tactics used by the prisoners and what was really going on, he wasn't all that helpful to them. The guards kept him informed about the goings-on as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat kept him working was the search for the very few who were truly in need and were truly searching for a better path in life. He said that not as much gets by prison chaplains as folks believe.
He now lives and works in Corpus Christi and still working with prisoners.
BTW, Holly, glad to see you posting again.