The Pastoral Care Council of the ACT is seeking the appointment of a full time chaplain within the new Alexander Maconochie Centre which opens later this year. The consistent presence of a Chaplain creates opportunities for inmates who have alienated society and may feel very alienated in themselves, to sense that there is someone who can provide a personal touch and can be trusted.
The traditional mindset of our society is one of punishment and rejection of criminals, believing that most are incorrigible. Their families are also considered most likely to breed more criminals.
But this new prison seeks to be different. It provides confinement with open vistas of the Brindabella hills rather than high stone walls. There are windows without bars. Its program seeks to provide both incarceration and rehabilitation. It is designed to respect the human rights of a person.
The program has an approach of “Through Care Management”, seeking rehabilitation from the moment of remand till after re-entry into society and parole. Its objective is to enable an individual to identify, negotiate and address issues which may enhance a successful change of life style toward healthy integration into the community.
This makes for an expensive prison. But it is in an approach which current studies suggest is the only way to bring successful changes; changes, not only for the offender, but changes which support the offender’s family.
And in this context the chaplain will play a significant part offering emotional and spiritual support.
Every person has their own particular spiritual needs, though it may not be recognised as such. It is a person’s spirituality that is at the core of self identity and sense of purpose in life. Spiritual support is an essential aspect of the provision of pastoral care. Religious traditions are a source of comfort and direction in life for many.
Issues which are private to an individual are more likely to be revealed to someone who is seen as independent to the system. The opportunity for pastoral care can be that moment of having intentional friendship offered by an “outsider” who can “walk” closely beside a person. A chaplain offers support that is sensitive to a possible religious persuasion (if any) of a person, and does not impose any religious expectations. At the same time there will be opportunity to guide a person towards appropriate community support.
We await final approval for funding by the ACT Government for this chaplaincy position.