Corrections_Today_January_February_2021_Vol.83_No.1

nEWS&vIEWS

wants to talk. Their manner should be approachable and caring. Chap- lains care because they represent God, and God cares. A chaplain who does not have a caring, relational manner needs additional training or a different vocation. 2. The virtual world We’ve nearly all become used to the world of virtual programming during the COVID-19 era. In con- versations by the author with state directors of chaplains in the U.S. in October 2020, indications are that many institutions are finding creative ways of providing programs and services for locked down inmates. Program teaching and worship service DVDs for many religious faiths are being accepted from reputable faith-based organizations for showing in inmate common areas, or in small chapel groups. In many places educational, rehabilita- tive and spiritual courses are being mailed to inmates for response by correspondence. Whatever can keep an inmate’s mind activated in some sort of prosocial program- ming is helpful to that inmate, and

However, during the pandemic, they are especially needed for maintaining emotional and spiritual support among the inmate population by walking the unit, listening and talking, providing an outlet for inmates to talk to someone willing to listen. Their ministry can be invaluable to maintaining the peace and emotional stability of the facility. 5. Think: Slowdown is okay Sometimes staff, volunteers and inmates feel frustrated that all is not going “up to speed” with program- matic and other regular activity. It’s reassuring to realize that we’re all in a situation none of us asked for, that it will be over at some point, and that in the meantime, we can creatively make the best of it. To cool off and slow down is okay during the pan- demic. Make every effort to maintain a productive work life and a healthy social life, even if it is “distanced.” We’ll all get through this together. Endnotes 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC COVID Data Tracker: Correctional Facilities, “Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in US Correctional and Detention Facilities by State.” November 24, 2020 retrieved from https://covid. cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#correctional-facilities 3 Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources and Information. Retrieved from http://www. aca.org/ACA_Prod_IMIS/ACA_Member/ Healthcare_Professional_Interest_Section/Copy_ of_Coronavirus_COVID.aspx 4 See details of the Prison Seminary Model at www.prisonseminaries.org. Vance L. Drum, D.Min. is a chaplaincy consultant with Prison Seminaries Foundation, and the former director of Chaplaincy Operations in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 2 The COVID Prison Project, at https://covidprisonproject.com

a good management tool for facility administrators. 3. Volunteer ministry to staff Outside volunteers may not be permitted at this time to enter the facility. However, there are ways of giving much needed encouragement to staff outside the walls. Some volunteer groups have en- gaged their faith-based organizations to provide a simple offer of food to staff as they enter for their shift, or as they leave after their shift. The gesture may be as uncomplicated as a sausage in a piece of bread, with a soft drink and a friendly greeting. Others have offered a brief scripture text study or prayer, perhaps in a staff clubhouse outside the facility. Such expressions go a long way in lifting the spirits of all the staff. 4. Peer ministry inside Inmate peer ministers who are graduates of a four-year accredited seminary program, are doing some of their work during the pandemic. 4 These graduates are normally authorized to do many aspects of ministry to their fellow prisoners.

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10 — January/February 2021 Corrections Today