Volunteers can prove to be an
essential element in the development of a good rapport between the
inmate population and the communities on the outside (as the world
beyond the institution is known). Some volunteers give of themselves
unselfishly and unstintingly to assist groups here at Warkworth, often
volunteering in several different groups, forming a close liaison and
eventual support for inmates who may not be fortunate enough to have
outside support of their own.
Many
people volunteer in outside communities, dutifully assisting those in
need, and helping the young, the homeless, the disadvantaged, and
seniors. But most of these kind-hearted individuals would cringe at the
thought of entering a jail or a provincial/federal penitentiary to
volunteer in one of the many groups that are an essential part of the
lives of many inmates.
Some
volunteers join spiritual or religious groups, attending weekly Bible
study or Sunday chapel services. Volunteers can provide direction and
leadership to these groups, or can merely attend group meetings and
events, providing a solid support for the inmate members. Some
volunteers join cultural groups and assist in the celebration of that
culture by sharing their knowledge of the history and customs~ of the
group Many volunteers come into the institution to give talks,
travelogues, share their hobbies, or participate in panel discussions in
their field of expertise, be it health, seniors~ issues, or the creative
art& Some volunteers may just participate in a monthly Card and
Games Night, but to the inmate, they are giving an opportunity for a
one-on-one situation where the inmate feels important Some volunteers
use their healing arts in exercising with a group. Volunteers can assist
in helping organize a group drive for merchandise not available in the
institution and are essential in the researching of information on the
outside for their group, by pricing various materials in their town or
city’s stores, as they’re not confined to the institutional premises
as are the inmates. Volunteers can also assist in institutional find
raising for charities or families in need. Thousands of dollars are
raised annually in this manner. Church choirs volunteer to entertain
inmates at Chapel seasonal events, or lead sing-alongs at different
group gatherings or events.
When
individuals, volunteer to come into the institution they are usually
surprised that inmates seem so normal, like anyone on the outside.
Inmates are just “men in blue or white T-shirts and blue jeans, with
green jackets”, during the day, but after work hours and on weekends,
inmates wear what men their age wear on the outside, their civvies.
Prison garb is just like a uniform to give identity between inmates and
security! Unless a volunteer has had a family member or friend
incarcerated and has visited them, it is most difficult to visualize
what the average inmate looks like~ Volunteers may be surprised that
inmates in their groups are polite and co-operative. Once a volunteer
has been with a group for a period of time, he or she finds that the
faces are familiar and that first names are used.
Volunteers shouldn’t equate Canadian inmates with those
appearing on American prison sitcoms, for there’s no comparison.
Volunteers should also take media reports “with a grain of salt”, as
the media often doesn’t tell the true- story, for newspaper reports
are made sensational to sell their product.
Volunteering
in the prison system has slight differences from volunteering on the
outside, for the volunteer must get security clearance before coining
into the institution No volunteer has to be afraid for his or her
personal safety. The odd cuss word many accidentally slip out of the
inmate’s mouth, but remember, the institution being all male, manners
sometimes slip during the working day. Many volunteers have made
personal contacts within the institution during their many years of
coming to Warkworth. Volunteers have assisted inmates when they’re
discharged after finishing their prison sentence, helping them find
accommodation, jobs, furnishings, and food, helping them create a
happier, healthier, and safer place in the community so that the inmate
can become a productive citizen once again. When volunteers work within
the institution they are aiding in the “habilitation”, or the
settling into the new community, of the inmate, for they are showing
that there are individuals in the community outside who care what
happens when the inmate is released.
Programs help prepare inmates to see the need to not re-offend
and try to help them emotionally, but volunteers help prepare the
inmates socially.
Inmates
need support groups in the community to help them adjust to the outside,
whether they’ve been incarcerated three, five, ten, or twenty years.
Having contact with volunteers while inside the institution helps this
transition to a successful, productive new life. Christian-minded
individuals often make the difference between a successful reintegration
and recidivism Whether it is for AA meetings, Jaycees meetings, Chapel
and Fellowship services, Celtic or other Heritage group meetings,
Seniors’ meetings, etc., volunteers provide an important element in
the adjustment of the inmate, who by working with volunteers realizes
that others from the outside care enough to volunteer their time to come
into the institution and assist where ever they interests and expertise
can help the inmate. All new volunteers are welcome to join in with the
dedicated men and women who are already helping within the institution.
For more information please contact..
danhaley@nexicom.net
Dan Haley
Peterborough Community Chaplaincy
Main
office P.O. Box 235
Peterborough ON
K9J 6Y8
705-741-4172 (Office)
705-741-4833 (Fax)
Office
E-mail
ptbochaplaincy@nexicom.net
Dan's personal e-mail danhaley@nexicom.net
Web site
www.ptbochaplaincy.org
New
Beginnings (transition house)
953
Clonsilla Ave
K9J 5Y2