. NSW CHAPLAINCY SERVICE

Transcription

1 , ~,;;-'. NSW CHAPLAINCY SERVICE,~ ~. MISSION STATEMENT o (:;J OBJECTIVES AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

2 INTRODUCTION: NEW SOUTH WALES PRISON CHAPLAINCY SBRVICB From the beginning of the colony of New South Walea there have been prison chaplains and parish clergy involved in priaon work. In 1962 the N.S.W. Comptroller of Prisons initiated the move which led to the appointment of three full-time chaplains to the Long Bay Penitentiary. These chaplains represented three strands, the Church of England, Roman Catholic and Other Protestant Denominations. They were the only full-time chaplains in the State - the rest of the State being cared for by parish clergy. The original plan enviolaged by the Comptroller was that within the decade the whole state would be serviced by full time chaplains. In 1970 an additional Church of England Chaplain was appointed, bringing the number to four. In 1988 a full-time Administrator was appointed at Long Bay and a part-time Administrator to Parramatta. These positions are D.C.S. appointments. r The expansion of the service is indicated by the fact that by June, 1990 grants were made available to fund 15 full-time chaplaincy appointments. In providing a service for the grant the Churches may have several chaplains. There are also a number of chaplains funded on a sessional basis and these include representatives of the Muslim, Jewish and Seventh Day Adventist faiths. In 1991 approval was given to increase the subsidy so that a further three chaplains could be appointed bringing the total to 17 full and 2 half-time subsidies. Initially they functioned strictly along denominational lines; they now take a more ecumenical approach with a strong emphasis on team work where possible. All chaplains whether full or part time are choseh by their denominations and presented through the "Civil Chaplaincies' Advisory Committee" to the Department of Corrective Services. They never at any time become employees of the Department. There has been a stress on maintaining their independence by seeing them as directly responsible to their respective Church superiors in matters of role functions and discipline but as responsible to the Department in matters of security. 7 within the Department's operations the chaplains have a great deal of freedom to relate to any decision making level of administration. This has proved to be pastorally and administratively important. The chaplains meet regularly with a representative of Corrective Services and relate to him/her in matters which may pertain to prisons, inmates, administration. The chaplains work within the system of the Department without being controlled by it. They represent both sides of the system and must be prepared to attend various committees where there is no conflict with their N.S.W. DEPT. OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES LIBRARY

3 2 pastoral position: a. because they are often the only voices the prisoner will trust to plead his/her cause and see that Justice is done. b. because, not belonging to the promotion process of the Public Service he/she can assist the staff to resist the various pressures and untrue accusations made from others inside and outside the prison system. FULL TIME SUBSIDIES: BATHURST CESSNOCK/MAITLAND GOULBURN GRAFTON LITHGOW LONG BAY PARKLEA PARRAMATTA WINDSOR GREEK ORTHODOX TOTAL 18 ; I.,,'

4 3 MISSION STATRMRNT CHAPLAINS, CALLED BY GOD, TO BE WITH PEOPLE *** TO SERVE *** TO RECONCILE *** TO REACH OUT *** TO BRING HOPE "TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE TENDERLY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITII YOUR GOD." MICAII 6-8

5 4 N.S.W. CHAPLAINCY SERVICE MANAGI!MKNT PLAN PREFACE 1. A WELL MANAGED CHAPLAINCY SERVICE WILL BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE A SERVICE OF CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE STANDARDS. 2. TRE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN IS TO BE A GUIDE AND CHECK LIST FOR CHAPLAINS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE MANAGE MENT ISSUES ARE HAISED AND APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY ACTION TAKEN. 3. AT THE CHAPLAINS' REGULAR MEETINGS INFORMATION IS SIIARED, ISSUES ARE DISCUSSED AND PROGRESS ON THE STRATEGIES IS MONITERED. THE MANAGEMENT PLAN WILL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AT THESE MEETINGS THEREFORE IT IS TilE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACII CHAPLAIN TO ATTEND MEETINGS. 4. IT IS TilE RESPONSIBILITY OF Tim CIIAPLAINS WHO RAVE PARTICULAR ROLES TO CO-OPT OTHERS TO ASSIST PUSH PROJECTS TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.

6 5 NKlf SOUTH WALKS CHAPLAINCY SERVICI! OBJBCTIVIlS TO OFFER RELIGIOUS MINISTRY BY: *** Providing a wide range of Worahip Services *** Administering the Sacraments *** Providing spiritual welfare, comfort and counsel *** Providing visitation for inmates from the denominational ministers of their choice and at their request *** Facilitating the provision of worship experiences and pastoral care to those of non-christian faiths TO PROVIDE PASTORAL SUPPORT BY:, J *** Manifesting a Christian concern for inmates and staff, recognising each person's dignity, personal worth and individual uniqueness *** Providing personal and group counselling for inmates, staff and their families where possible *** Providing group and individual education: including values education, self-help and behaviour improvement programmes TO BUILD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BY: *** Liaising between the Department, the Community, the Churches and other community service groups *** Continuing to be involved in the training of Officers at the Academy *** Co-operating with all sections working in prisons TO DEVELOP CHAPLAINCY STANDARDS BY: *** Encouraging the Chaplains to improve and maintain their professional standards through ongoing education, conferences and discussion *** Developing and maintaining a network of full and part-time chaplains *** Providng orientation and training courses for chaplains TO ENCOURAGE JUSTICE BY: *** Keeping up to date in understanding what the Department is doing *** Addressing particular issues as required *** Co-operating with other bodies working to this end in the gaols

7 6. AREAS OF CO-ORDINATION STATE Co-oRDINATOR: REV. NEAL HODGEKISS SPOKESPERSON/SIGNATORY: Signs letters on behalf of Chapliancy Service Liaises with DCS/Minister/Policy Advisor/Commissioner/Asst. Commissioner and Senior Executive Relates to contemporary issues in DCS and acts on them Convenes the Monthly Meeting/prepares Agenda and Liturgy/Chairs the Meeting. LOCAL CO-ORDINATION: LOCAL CHAPLAINS Are responsible for the management of the Chaplaincy Service in their Gaols. (It is recommended that they communicate on a regular basis - for this purpose it may be necessary for a Chaplain to be nominated to convene meetings.) ADMINISTRATION: SR. PAULINE STAUNTON Is responsible for all matters relating to the day to day Administration of the Chaplaincy Service. ANNUAL SERVICE: FR. TERRY McDONALD & REV. REG. CLARK To liaise with DCS/Protocol Officer re date, preacher, music, liturgy,1 invitations etc. CONTACT WITH CHURCHES: REV. ERIC KNIGHT, FR. TERRY McDONALD, REV. ERNEST BAILEY To liaise with Civil Chaplaincies Advisory Committee (C.C.A.C.) on matters relating to Chaplaincy. To Communicate with C.C.A.C. when a vacancy occurs, follow up the appointment and notify the Chaplain responsible for Orientation. To liaise with Churches re their responsibility to nominate replacement for Chaplains who are going on Long Service Leave or extended Sick Leave. CORRECTIVE SERVICES ACADEMY: REV. JIM BISHOP To liaise with the Principal To organise input for training programmes To attend Attestation Parades FINANCE: SR. PAULINE STAUNTON, REV. JIM BISHOP REV. ERIC KNIGHT I

8 7. INSERVICE & FURTHER TRAINING: SR. JANET GLASS. SR. THELMA PELLITT. SR. DOROTHY BARDEN. REV. HOWARD KNOWLES. REV. MALCOLM FELLOWS To organise Annual Conference (Venue, Dates, Speakers, Liturgy, Dinner, Entertainment) Arrange for Guest Speakers for Monthly Meetings Notify Chaplains of Specialist Training Courses that may be available e.g. Suicide Prevention, Spiritual Development, New Skills etc. LONG TIlRM PLANNING: REV. ERIC KNIGHT To Obtain information re new institutions, arrange initial contact with local Churches and community, report on population projections. ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES: REV. HUGH VOSS. REV. ADRIAN LEENMAN MAJOR RAY PETHYBRIDGE To liaise with newly appointed Chaplains re dates for Orientation To be responsible for the content of the orientation PASTORAL CARE OF CHAPLAINS: BRO. GARY FERGUSON, SR. MARY GLEESON To keep in touch with isolated part and full time Chaplains POLICY DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL JUSTICE: REV. MICHAEL COCKAYNE. SR. MARY GLEESON, SR. pauline STAUNTON. REV. JIM BISHOP To develop levels of working and ways to handle matters that arise: a. Particular issues and administrative matters b. Policy matters with the Department c. Concerns to the Churches d. To the Chaplains (outlined in the minutes of this Group) e. To stimulate Chaplains' meetings for regular review of roles and priorities PRISON FELLOWSHIP: REV. REG CLARK & BRO. GARY FERGUSON To liaise with Prison Fellowship Executive Director/Chairperson IT IS THE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE CHAPLAINS WHO HAVE PARTICULAR ROLES TO CO-OPT OTHERS IF NECESSARY TO ASSIST PUSH PROJECTS TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.