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Justice and Peace
JPIC in Action
Prison Outreach
The Franciscan tradition compels us to bring friendship and help to the outcast. For Francis, today's "leper" might be those who are incarcerated. To this end, many of our ministries have taken up prison outreach efforts.
To add to the list, contact Fran Eskin-Royer in Holy Name Province's Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.
MT. IRENAEUS PRISON VISIT PROGRAM: HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
West Clarksville, N.Y.
Inmates from Gowanda Correctional Facility, serving prison sentences for DWI felonies, tell their stories and enter into a discussion with St. Bonaventure University students in order to bring to light factors, both internal and external, that influenced their poor decision making. The experience gives SBU students the opportunity to relate their own lives to the discussion and in that way gain enlightenment concerning their own strengths and weaknesses in regard to decision making. The meeting also breaks down stereotyping of the incarcerated, opens up awareness in the students of another area of service to the needy and, in some instances, directly relates to their classroom studies. The visit itself is an act of service to the inmates.
Up to 14 students travel to Gowanda Correctional Facility for each program session. Students have the option of earning L.A.P. credit for the experience. To gain credit, students must participate in a group reflection about the experience, or arrange for a personal reflection session with the the friar liaison, Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM.
Contact: Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM
PRISON MINISTRY
Wilmington, Del.
Friars, parishioners and Franciscan Volunteers visit Howard R. Young Correctional Instituion (aka Gander Hill Prison) in Wilmington, and talk with prisoners. Special effort is made to connect with Hispanic prisoners who speak only Spanish.
Efforts are also made to make visits to other local prisons, as time and personnel allow.
Contact: Luz Maldonado
PRISON MINISTRY
Durham, N.C.
The ministry focuses on helping those who are incarcerated discover forgiveness, reconciliation and God's love through visits, letters, prayers, advocacy and other activities.
Contact: Larry DeCarolis
PRISON MINISTRY
Anderson, S.C.
Ministry work includes weekly visitation of Catholics at the Anderson County Jail. If the visit includes Reconciliation or Communion, meetings are held face to face in a secure room. Otherwise, telephone access is arranged through a Plexiglas wall with other ministers. Two weekly Spanish-language Masses are held at the federal wing of the Anderson City Jail, with the opportunity for Reconciliation. The opportunity for Reconciliation is also offered monthly at the Perry Correctional Facility, a high-security, long-term prison. Finally, those involved in the ministry also work to expunge the records of ex-criminals in support of employment.
Ministry work includes weekly visitation of Catholics at the Anderson County Jail. If the visit includes Reconciliation or Communion, meetings are held face to face in a secure room. Otherwise, telephone access is arranged through a Plexiglas wall with other ministers. Two weekly Spanish-language Masses are held at the federal wing of the Anderson City Jail, with the opportunity for Reconciliation. The opportunity for Reconciliation is also offered monthly at the Perry Correctional Facility, a high-security, long-term prison. Finally, those involved in the ministry also work to expunge the records of ex-criminals in support of employment.
Contact: Fr. Aubrey McNeil, OFM
PRISON MINISTRY
Boston, Mass.
Ministry work includes visits to Boston's Suffolk County House of Corrections,
coordinated by the parish’s JustMatters Group. Those who wish to participate in the ministry must pre-register and obtain security clearance.
Contact: Jackie Stewart
PRISON MINISTRY
Greenville, S.C.
The mission of St. Anthony of Padua Prison Ministry is to maintain a physical presence within local prisons to spread the Good News of the love of Jesus Christ and His promise of salvation to all who call upon His name. Additionally, the ministry supports outreach programs such as Kairos, Goodwill Industries, halfway houses, and worship services within local prisons. The ministry and outreach programs benefit inmates both spiritually and financially.
Contact: Gwen Whitner
PRISON MINISTRY BY THE FRIARS
Loudonville, N.Y.
Several friars at Siena are involved in prison ministry at Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility in Wilton, N.Y., and occasionally at other facilities. Their main involvement is as sacramental ministers, celebrating the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and sometimes Baptisms and Confirmations. They also help to run a weekly Bible study, a confirmation class (as needed), and a semiannual weekend retreat called Residents Encounter Christ.
A few friars have taught courses in the college program that Siena runs at Mt. McGregor. The friars volunteer to offer for-credit college courses from the Siena catalog. Students can apply these credits to a Siena degree or transfer them to another institution when they are released.
Contact: Fr. Dennis Tamburello, OFM
PRISON PEN PAL MINISTRY
Raleigh, N.C.
The Mission of the Prison Pen Pal Ministry is to reach out to incarcerated men and women in a special way through written correspondence that serves as their eyes and ears to the outside world.
Contact: Robin Nilsson
