Prison Chaplaincy Services (PCS) is coordinated for the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) and Heads of Christian Churches by the Principal Chaplain, Reverend Bill Reddin, an ecumenical position.
The Chaplains’ role: Chaplains represent all mainstream denominations and minister in all prisons across the State. We also have Aboriginal chaplains. They assist prisoners in a number of areas including worship services, pastoral care, baptisms, confirmations, burials, grief counselling, memorial services, matters of faith, preparation for marriage and Christian education. They are assisted by local clergy in some instances and Chaplain's Assistants. It should be noted that prisoners do not need to profess a faith to request the services of a chaplain.
There is a local Coordinating chaplain for each prison. Prison Chaplains also welcome the opportunity to liaise with prisoners’ families and faith communities. Please contact the Principal Chaplain’s office for details.
The Principal Chaplain’s role includes managing 35 Chaplains and 60 Chaplains Assistants in ten prisons across the State. He liaises with DCS Head Office, prison general managers and senior staff, the Parole Board, Heads of Christian Churches (through their Chaplaincy committee), the Christian Prison Ministries Forum members, and individual churches. The Principal Chaplain’s role also extends to promoting the principles of Restorative Justice.
The Chaplaincy Strategic Plan states:
OUR IDENTITY: PCS is responsive to all faith groups (and none) and committed to Restorative Justice.
OUR PURPOSE: To assist DCS and the community (including the Christian community) in restoring lives affected by crime.
OUR AIM: To provide an holistic chaplaincy service, committed to excellence of delivery, journeying with those in our sphere of influence, offering a living message of Hope, Reconciliation and Healing, delivered with dignity and respect.
Prison Chaplaincy is an inter-faith chaplaincy, and provides prisoners from all faith groups with pastoral care from their own faith community through the provision of Professional Visits, where possible, on request.
Prison Chaplaincy also provides student field placements and training days for theological institutions.
The Alpha course is the main Chaplaincy program. Alpha is a basic introduction to the Christian faith and is designed to help people explore the possibility of faith or, to help people with faith, to grow and mature in that faith. Alpha courses are run by volunteers.
Would you like to take part in Alpha, or other prison ministries like Kairos? Want to know more? Please contact the Principal chaplain.
Alpha is conducted in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance (non-judgemental) where participants' views are listened to and not corrected and participants’ human dignity is honoured. Note: While participants' views eg values, world view, are not corrected during the Alpha course, by the end of the course their views have often altered for the better, and are owned. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Many come to faith through this program.
What happens when a prisoner leaves prison?
Prison Chaplaincy is committed to post release ministry through the provision of transitional support for prisoners as they leave prison and reintegrate with the community. This is affected through especially trained local churches and in collaboration with Prison Alpha Australia's Caring for Ex Offenders (CFEO) program.
For more information on this exciting initiative and how your church can be involved contact the Principal Chaplain.
Bill Reddin is available to come and talk to your church leadership team or Community Group about Restorative Justice, prison ministry, post release ministry and Alpha in prisons.
For all enquiries contact the Principal Chaplain, Reverend Bill Reddin, Prison Chaplaincy Services, Yatala Labour Prison.
email reddin.bill@saugov.sa.gov.au
Ph/Fax 8343 0469
Mob 0419 855 156
Links:
Prison Alpha Australia www.alpha.org.au
Prison Fellowship www.pfi.org.au/sa
Kairos www.kairos.org.au
