Corrections_Today_January_February_2021_Vol.83_No.1

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

2. Staff needs Correctional staff are extra stressed in the COVID era. Besides the normal stress of working in an often- adversarial environment, there is the additional anxiety of working in close spaces with the potential of contract- ing the virus from inmates or others. PPE is mandated in most places, but that creates its own challenges to ef- fective functioning in the institution, such as having to wear a mask all day. Staff with minor children at home due to closed schools also experience the financial and psychological stress of locating and paying for quality childcare. If caregivers are expected to conduct school at home, correc- tional workers may be overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy as well as conflicts of loyalty. 3. Inmate needs Incarcerated inmates are sepa- rated from their families and society by due process of the legal system. However, during the COVID-19 pan- demic there is much extra isolation and absence of the socially engaging rehabilitative, reentry and spiritual programming of normal times. In addition, in-person visits from fam- ily or friends have been curtailed. Outside of prison, if one is confined to one’s house for some time, one may experience “cabin fever.” In the prison, however, inmates who are confined to their cell for long periods with no outlet for exercise, work, dining, or educational or spiritual programs may experience as much or more psychological or physical distress. Withdrawal into one’s own world of distrust and decreased mo- tivation may contribute to feelings of depression or suicidal ideation.

Many inmates experience positive feelings and healthy social contact in the chapel program with chaplaincy staff, volunteers and other rehabili- tating inmates. During the pandemic this outlet for personal and spiritual development is curtailed, perhaps for a long time. Creative means of meeting these spiritual and emotional needs will be helpful in maintaining peace in the facility. Visibility in the facility will provide access and an outlet for staff and inmates to express their concerns to someone. 4. Volunteers restricted For at least the past two decades, state and local governments have experienced budget shortfalls with resulting staff layoffs in their correc- tional institutions. Wise correctional leaders have recognized the need for community volunteers to come into their facilities to provide much needed help with life management, life skills, reentry and spiritual pro- gramming. Recruitment and training of quality volunteers has been a pri- ority since the early 1990s in many states. These volunteers have done much work, beneficial to society, for no pay. During the COVID-19 era, however, these thousands of helpful

volunteers have been largely re- stricted from entering the facilities. While such restriction was neces- sary for the health and well-being of inmates and staff, at the same time it has seriously limited the measure of educational, substance use disorder treatment and spiritual programming available at the facility. How to respond Challenges must not become insurmountable. Creative solutions to obstacles are required. Proactive and wise administrators must provide guidelines and permission for staff and inmate needs to be taken care of as much as possible. Here are five suggestions for appropriate respond- ing during COVID-19, especially for chaplaincy staff: 1. Visibility and availability Chaplains must be visible and available. Acknowledging that administrative paperwork must continue, still there is less than usual program and volunteer entry paper- work required during the pandemic. Visibility in the facility will provide access and an outlet for staff and inmates to express their concerns to someone. Chaplains, by their ministry of presence and emotional support, provide a sense that people are not so isolated in their work or incarceration. In a long lockdown, people can- not walk to the chapel as easily as they normally would. Chaplains will do well and their facility will be blessed if they spend a significant part of each day outside of their of- fices, walking all areas of the facility, verbally greeting staff and inmates, and stopping to listen when someone

Corrections Today January/February 2021 — 9