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Inteaith Committee on Chapfaincy in the Correctional- Service of Canada Annual Xeport - 1997
-'rom the Weport of Salty (Boy les, President of the Inteaith Committee: Within the difficult political climate of 1997, the Solicitor General of Canada, Herb Gray, has affirmed the mission of the Correctional Service Canada (CSC). This, along with the return to the position of Commissioner, Ole Instrup is hopeful for the lives of men and women who serve time in federal correctional facilities. The mission statement of CSC centres on the protection of society and the fair and just treatment of those men and women serving federal sentences for criminal activity. It is hoped that when they return to the community, they will be able to stay in the community. The Committee Cares for Chaplains A major piece of IFC work is to participate with CSC in hirings and reviews as a partner. This involves at least 6 members of IFC from across the country and as many contract representatives. Reviews of the work of the regional chaplains (in the Prairies and in the Maritimes) were undertaken for the first time. CSC Community Chaplaincies offer new challenges in relationship as they are developed. IFC participated in one assessment of an established community chaplaincy. The Operating Committee visited the Edmonton Institution for Women in October as part of our fall /meeting. Other regular features of those meetings include meeting with local chaplains and involving regional IFC members. This year we have discussed part-time chaplaincy and the relationship between part time chaplains and IFC. IFC has asked the Director General Chaplaincy to recommend to the Chaplaincy Management Team that when a part-time chaplain is serving between 12 and 30 hours a week that an IFC member be part of the selection and evaluation process. We have reaffirmed that chaplains should be encouraged to change institutions after 11 years of service in one place. We requested a salary increase of 3.5% for federal correctional chaplains with the Chaplaincy Management Team. Treasury Board approved the increase. We were involved in Phase 2 Orientation for new chaplains and were part of the planning team for the National Chaplains' Conference in June 1997. Members shared in presenting Restorative Justice Week across the country. This year major events during that week were held in Toronto by a small working team. We grow in trust and serve with love, Sally Boyles Chair, Interfaith Committee "Earth cannot be changed for the better unless the consciousness of individuals is changed first... therefore we commit ourselves to this global ethic, to understand one another and to socially beneficial, peace-fostering and nature-friendly ways of life." from: A Source Book for Earth's Community of Religions. - 2 - ol this document does not belong to the CrOle be obtained from the author for Pre aut orizaton must drq intended use n'appartiennent Le3 rites d'auteur du présent document du présent pas à f État.Ioute utilisation du contenu Par auteur. I. document doll être appi Ilement
rnm the Report of Pierre Affarcf, Director General- Chapfaincy "Anyone who claims that I am a dreamer who expects to transform hell into heaven is wrong. I have few illusions, but I feel a responsibility to work towards the things I consider good and right I don 't know whether I'll be able to change certain things for the better, or not at all. Both outcomes are possible. There is only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive in a good cause." - Vacicrv Havel, (Czechoslovakia) Within the present difficult political context for corrections, Chaplaincy stands firm and proclaims that its spiritual perspective is essential in the 'good cause' of the CSC Mission. Many important things have happened since your last AGM. I would like to briefly review a number of them from the chaplaincy perspective. Quality Chaplains: In 1995-96, 24 new chaplains had joined us. This past year, another 13 were added. These numbers demonstrate the importance of our 4-phase orientation program, our major review process and ongoing professional development. In the area of professional development and publications, a number of new initiatives and new resources have been put in place. Overall, the chaplains are a creative group, committed and on a journey to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with their colleagues within CSC and with outside CSC partners. The heart of chaplaincy - its chaplains - is healthy and beating well. Quality Volunteers The time has come for a new emphasis on volunteers with CSC in general and chaplaincy in particular. Next year has been targeted as a year for a national rally for chaplaincy volunteers. Besides some significant research by Jane Steeves, major efforts will be made in the next few months to strengthen the volunteers' movement within CSC Chaplaincy. Quality Community Chaplaincies As the funding becomes more stable, as reintegration increases as a priority for CSC, Community Chaplaincies are confronted with increased demands. Cooperative efforts, sensitivity to the needs of victims, 'guaranteed security' for the community are all needed. We must provide ongoing support of the community chaplains who work hard, are truly underpaid and need ongoing training. The Chaplaincy Management Team must address this need in the coming year. Quality Initiatives: A number of initiatives have been established, including Restorative Justice Week. Chaplaincy was involved in the symposium in Vancouver, Achieving Satisfying Justice and in planning an international conference called Beyond Prisons. We are also involved in a ground breaking project called Circles of Support, which works at the reintegration of sex offenders. A number of universities are beginning to offer or plan courses related to prison ministry in response to our challenge. In May we welcomed a chaplain from Papua New Guinea for a special training and renewal venture. May God's Spirit guide us to serve with renewed vision and commitment! Together in God's service, Pierre Allard
A Cafffor Justice At its 1997 Annual General Meeting, IFC approved "A Call for Justice" to acknowledge our concern for restorative justice. An excerpt appears here. We cherish Canada as a peaceful and safe place in which to live. Sadly, fear of crime, growing public outrage at crimes' effects on society and the pain of the many victims throughout our society concerns us all. This situation calls us to explore justice that deals with crime honestly and leads to the healing of persons, families and communities. A growing sense of fear and outrage will harm our well-being and the fabric of our society. The growth in prison populations indicates an over-reliance on incarceration to solve criminal and social problems. Despite rigorous and very expensive justice, victims claim that their needs for healing and safety are not being addressed. Repeat-offending indicates that the present justice approach is not effective in healing our society, victims or offenders. Is the present practice of justice working in Canada? We agree it is not while the pain and fear grows. We encourage all people to join the journey of hope and healing to which restorative justice calls us. It is a courageous journey from fear to hope, from revenge to reconciliation, from hatred to forgiveness. Restorative justice never minimizes, excuses or even forgets the effects of crime. Forgiveness and reconciliation are redeeming love, a decision to move through the pain, a decision which in no way reduces the enormity of the wrongdoing. Standing Committee on Women's Spirituality Some highlights from the Standing Committee's Annual Report appear below: The Standing Committee on Women's Spirituality was officially brought into being in 1993 by the Operating Committee of IFC. Its purpose was to promote the philosophy of "Creating Choices", the report of the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women presented in 1990. The report identified spirituality as a basic element of all programs and procedures for federally sentenced women (federallysentenced women). The Committee has some policy and internal concerns, including the proposal to add two Aboriginal women to its number, making a total of 10 members. Its work focuses principally on issues of spirituality for federally sentenced women. This work is accomplished through support of chaplains who are working with women. The Committee met in October 1996 and chaplains from two provincial institutions who work with federally-sentenced women. We met with Nancy Stableforth from National Headquarters and made some recommendations to her followed by a good dialogue. Sherri Blackburn reported on a survey done in the Toronto area on support for federally-sentenced women and their Reintegration. The research focused on the needs of women on parole and looked at the willingness of Toronto area churches to be involved and the possibility of a community chaplain to work with the estimated 100 federally sentenced women in the greater Toronto area. Respectfully submitted, Eileen Henderson