Chaplains for Staff

“For 25 years, I prayed that we COs would have our own chaplain. Now, finally, we do.”
                                                      -- Sheriff’s Deputy, Cook County Department of Corrections


Please appoint a volunteer chaplain who regularly roves your facility, supporting staff!
A survey of AJA members indicates that chaplains who support Correctional staff are generally utilized only after incidents/codes, rather than preventatively.
   Sadly, the survey also indicates that few jails have a chaplain for whom Correctional staff are his or her top priority.
   In contrast, a chaplain who roves a facility – checking in with each on-duty Correctional staff -- builds relationships with staff, and confidentially hears what is on their hearts and minds. Such attention and support can contribute to staff wellness, as staff release emotions and know that someone sees them, and cares.
  
Here’s the story of a roving chaplain dedicated to Corrections staff:
   In 2018, Cook County DOC in Chicago began its first, roving, volunteer chaplain who solely supported staff. Staff had never had their own chaplain; chaplains and religious volunteers were for inmates. 
   It took CCDOC only 10 weeks to create and launch its chaplaincy-for-staff, because the chaplain was a volunteer,  eliminating any budget need or process. Plus, it only required a few days of one staff to launch this chaplaincy-for-staff, by doing a video and introductory blast email, showing the chaplain around, and introducing the chaplain to command staff.
    The chaplaincy was well received by staff, continues today, and grown with more volunteer chaplains-for-staff.
    I hope this encourages your jail to introduce a similar chaplaincy for staff -- perhaps by using any part of the following Guide:

 
This 6-part Guide explains why staff should have their own chaplain, and simple steps to do so.
In summary:

• Few jails have chaplains solely for staff. Even fewer rove tier to tier, to connect with all staff.
• When distressed about family, health, or other issues, staff typically don’t seek help; they just try to get through their shift. If a chaplain waits to be called, such needs go unaddressed. But a roving, volunteer chaplain can encounter the hurting, offer a confidential ear, and give heart-felt support!
• Start with Part 1 (“SELLING THE CONCEPT…”), to your leadership, providing the two American Jails articles on why and how to have such chaplains; suggest it be tested. Then, after approval:
• Follow Parts 2 – 6. These detail how to find, select, launch, and support a roving, volunteer chaplain-just-for-staff. As each jail is unique, modify the steps/templates to reflect your agency’s requirements.
• For a full description of how this can work at your agency, please click here to watch the Justice Clearinghouse webinar “Helping Hidden Heroes: Chaplains for Correctional Staff — Emotions, Health, and Retention”.