Volume 4, Issue 1, October 1995

SPIRITUALITY VITAL PART OF TODAY'S JAIL PROGRAMME

More and more, religion is becoming a serious part of our prison system and programme. In fact, a religious renaissance is sweeping prisons across the land. And our multicultural society is demanding opportunity for the variety of faiths to be able to perform their own faith practices and beliefs.

Although coming from particular religions, the prison chaplains in Canada are considered to be coordinators and providers of a multifaith service.

In addition to the spiritual and religious care provided directly by them, chaplains ensure that the services of specific faith representatives are provided where needed.

There is acknowledgment that there is a spiritual dimension to human existence. So, in keeping with the principles of human rights, our multicultural and multifaith society, spiritual well-being and human dignity, effort is being made to assist those under their care to follow their own religious beliefs and practices, whatever they are.

The Ontario government, through the ministries of community and social services, health and correctional services, has been responsible for approving policies to ensure the provision of, and access to, adequate religious care for those under their responsibility. Unfortunately the present Ontario government is placing a very low priority on this.

Today's prison and jail officials are finding that they now have to take religion seriously in their institutions.

The former Christian chapels, with altar and cross are inadequate, even offensive in some cases, for the worship of other religions.

One prison I visited found Muslims upset with the chapel arrangement because before they worshipped in it an AA group used it and left cigarette butts on the floor. The Muslims kneel and bow to the ground in prayer. The problem was alleviated in this case by having the chapel floor swept after the smoking group met there.

Native worship is yet to be taken seriously. Because native spirituality believes their souls can be cleansed by sweating in a tent-like "sauna" heated by steam from scalding water poured over hot rocks, our prisons classify this religion under recreation.

As well, for some native items such as eagle feathers and personal medicines are just as important as crucifixes and Bibles are to Christianity.

Today's chaplains may find themselves checking that specific foods and diets are available in prison kitchens for certain faiths required on their holy days. Hare Krishna, an ancient religion of East Indian origin, complains that pork placed on their plates in chow lines contaminates the rest of their food. Jews are no longer forced to eat pork in jail or be punished.

Correctional staff naturally have a fixation on security and for that reason often are reluctant to give way to religious practices unfamiliar to them and which disturb the disciplined routine of the prison.

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"Religion NOW" is published in limited edition by the Rev. Ross E. Readhead, B.A., B.D., Certificate of Corrections, McMaster University, in the interest of furthering knowledge and participation in religion. Dialogue is invited and welcomed.