An inside view: Reflections of a jail chaplain

Reflecting on my 35 years as a chaplain in a large county detention facility, serving as a chaplain was my call, my passion, my frustration, and my pain. I am struck by the importance of respect in the lives of those who are incarcerated. Respect, both personal and systemic, is essential for facilitating healthy relationships and spiritual development among prisoners. When respect is lacking, prisoners are subjected to dehumanizing conditions, physical and mental health problems, and an ongoing environment of violence. Staff members also experience the negative effects of a disrespectful environment, leading to job dissatisfaction and burnout. Our communities’ responses to crime often focus on humiliation, isolation, and punishment, which perpetuates desperate coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, poverty, and violence. This approach only serves to further dehumanize people who are incarcerated. Providing opportunities for prisoners to form healthy relationships while in custody is essential for their rehabilitation and reentry into society. It also allows local faith communities to practice their faith principles of mercy, forgiveness, and compassion by reaching out to those people who are often forgotten and marginalized.