Corrections_Today_July_August_2020_Vol.82_No.4

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

local faith groups and pris- on volunteer organizations. In September 2019, the outcome of these meet- ings was presented to the larger community at a town hall event attract- ing over 100 participants, including county and state elected officials, as well as 18 prison volunteer groups from college, faith and civic organizations to reentry groups, anti-violence advo- cates and Puppies Behind Bars trainers. All were afforded a chance to speak and introduce their organi- zations at display tables. The town hall meeting was a major success, and Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick said, “I am delighted with the excellent

women while in prison and in a successful return to society of those leav- ing prison as law-abiding citizens. The interest of the com- munity in this project is well illustrated by the fact that when the call went out for PRAC committee members, more applicants showed up than could be accommo- dated. When the dust settled, 19 members were selected. Everyone was carefully chosen as local stake holders in prison-related issues like faith, academia, justice, legal, rehabilitation, human rights and reentry to name a few. No sooner had the PRAC team been established in March of 2020 before it had

Photo courtesy Angela James Photography

One of the 18 information tables for volunteer organizations at the Bedford Adopt-A-Prison event.

The goal of the advisory com- mittee is best described by excerpts from its mission statement: In a spirit of recognizing that these women are our neighbors, and acknowledging the inher- ent dignity of all human beings, as well as their potential for change, the Mission of this Committee would be to engage in constructive outreach to both the community and the prison complex, including both the prison administration and the incarcerated population in our local correctional facilities. The goal is for the community and the prison to come together, and work together, to assist in the quality of life, such as educa- tion and rehabilitation of the

partnership between the Depart- ment of Corrections and the Town. This event will provide an oppor- tunity for the community to learn more about our neighbors inside the prison walls.” This sentiment was echoed by Superintendent Tanya Mitchell-Voyd of Taconic Correctional Facility, who said, “A lot of troubles in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other. It is in this spirit that Taconic Correctional Facility is interested in engaging with the local community.” Encouraged by the town hall success, the Bedford Town Board unanimously called for the establish- ment of a Prison Relations Advisory Committee (PRAC) to further advance and implement the AAP con- cept, supposedly a first in this country.

to jump into emergency mode. New York had become the U.S. epicenter for the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The immediate question was how to slow down the spread of the virus to those individuals and staff locked up together in the tight quarters of a prison. One obvious answer was soap for frequent handwashing; real- izing the need for a softer alternative to the state issued soap in prison, which can be tough on human skin. The PRAC team proved up to the challenge. Within 10 days, they sourced and delivered 2,000 bars of soap to the two prisons, and hold an- other 2,000 bars in reserve. All bars of soap were donated from churches, temples, mosques and civic organi- zations, as well as individuals and business organization in the local Northern Westchester community.

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