Corrections_Today_May_June_2020_Vol.82_No.3

nEWS & vIEWS

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

Benefits of CPE-Trained correctional chaplains: Part 2 By Rev. Eric Jeuland and Rev./Dr. Charles F. Williams

C linical Pastoral Education, or CPE, is a training program that is required for health- care and military chaplains but not yet widely recognized for correc- tional chaplains. Part 1 of this article (which you can find in the March/ April 2020 issue of Corrections Today) began to describe CPE and how CPE-trained chaplains can im- prove the effectiveness and advance the ultimate purpose of correctional institutions. Part 2 describes what makes CPE unique and relevant to the correctional system and the com- mon value of “human dignity” and the shared practice of “situational awareness” that CPE training and correctional departments share. A common ideal: human dignity Both CPE and state Departments of Corrections (DOCs) seek to serve and improve society based on their common value of honoring human dignity. DOCs exist to improve public safety, especially for people who have been victimized or who are vulnerable to abuse. CPE trains and empowers clergy and faith-based

istock/fcscafeine

volunteers to be more effective spiritual caregivers and advocates for human dignity in the midst of crisis or distress. CPE’s experiential learn- ing process helps chaplains more skillfully create and protect safe spaces for all people to receive spiri- tual care. The importance of both personal safety and spiritual wellness are outgrowths of our society’s high value of human life. Moreover, human dignity is necessary in corrections because it is a core value that makes possible

the transformative work DOCs are asked to do by society. The dual pur- pose of the correctional system is to secure and also rehabilitate individu- als sentenced by the courts during their time of separation from free society. Even though correctional systems are difficult environments and under-resourced, human dignity must animate all we do. However, this is easier said than done. How might attention to human dignity impact correctional culture on a practical level?

16 — May/June 2020 Corrections Today