Continuum of Care Transitions from the Ministry of Institutional Chaplains to the Ministry of  Community Chaplaincy by Rev. Beryl Orok, Institutional Chaplain with CSC

It is not uncommon for an institutional chaplain to form relationships with men and women over a period of years. In mypersonal experience I have journeyed with men from maximum security through minimum security. One of the most rewarding aspects of this ministry is to witness the changes, transitions and the epiphanies as healing begins to take root in their lives.

Rev Beryl Orok

The institutional chaplain, as well as providing sacramental ministry, counsels, supports, advocates on behalf of, teaches and prays for the offenders in our congregations behind the walls. We meet their families. We are there through the joys and sorrows, the accomplishments and the failures. We see their fears, hear their concerns and offer a safe place to vent their anger .We bear witness to the pain and suffering of grief, loss, separation from loved ones and the effects of incarceration.

It is therefore natural that there is an interest in the reintegration process for these indiduals and a concern for them as they enter society again; endeavouring to live as law abiding citizens.

It is the commitment of community chaplains, like Dan Haley, who will walk with them in the next part of their journey that supports and continues the work we have done inside. It only takes a phone call, perhaps an introductory visit prior to release, to make this vital connection so that there is a familiar face or at least a name and contact number, willing to assist them, support them and hold them accountable. The look of relief and the reduction of stress is obvious in the offenders who are willing to meet and engage with community chaplains.

Within the walls we become the voice of compassion and reason. It is often the chaplain who first approaches the correctional staff with questions about the feasibility of compassionate release when an offender becomes palliative. We become the voice of advocacy on their behalf with many CSC staff including wardens, parole officers, medical staff, and the National Parole Board. Sometimes CSC staff are not familiar with the legislation surrounding compassionate release or parole by exception and so we become tactful teachers. We also support the CSC staff as they endeavour to present a supportive case to the National Parole Board.

There are no words to describe the feeling when I have been given the privilege of telling two men that the parole board had granted their release. There are tears amidst the joy and relief after long anxious days and hours awaiting the verdict. This waiting time is when visits and prayers calm nerves. Offenders seek out our support even more at times like this. Often their friends will ask us to come to the unit to see them. Everyone is anxious and we must bring a calming presence.

And then there is the phone call to Dan, I can hardly wait to get him on the other end of the line and tell him the good news. I have kept him informed of the process and he is on standby to come and pick up the man for the trip to Peterbourgh. No time is wasted in making these arrangements. Those phone calls elicit great rejoicing and thanksgiving to God.

It has been a personal privilege to work with Dan on three such releases, affording these individuals the opportunity to die with dignity, surrounded by caring, compassionate people i.e. Dan, volunteers and the hospital staff. Two of these men were so close to death that they lived only a matter of hours in the hospital but during that time they were cared for with compassion and respect and they had opportunity to connect with and say goodbye to their families. One can hope for nothing more.

The circle was completed for me when I was given the privilege of taking part in the funeral service of one of the men who I had come to know well during his incarceration.

It is a privilege to be team members in God’s work on behalf of God’s people with God’s people.

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Rev. Beryl Orok has served as a Chaplain with CSC for over 16 years.  Prior to federal prison chaplaincy she also served as a hospital chaplain and associate counsellor for Kin Family Center in Kingston.

Before entering ministry she was a registered nurse in intensive care and emergency for 17 years and trained in palliative care as a hospice volunteer.