My experience of

CHAPLAINCY

AT

CHELMSFORD PRISON

Helen Swaris

September 2015

• The following are bullet point slides, the complete talk can be found by clicking on the link below:

• http://www.marksteychurch.org.uk/sermons

•The Reverend James Ridge, Managing Chaplain•Also member of prison Senior Management Team as required by law•Also part of the Care Team

•Some background:•Chelmsford Prison – 9acre site•Built 1830 as a county jail•Old part on left, new on right

•A relic from the past, the old death toll bell•Last execution November 1914•Bell heard as far away as Wivenhoe

•Today, “Her Majesty’s Prison and Young Offenders Institution”•Category B prison taking men from age 21. About 750 prisoners.•Serve the courts and surrounding counties•Some on remand and may move on when sentenced, others are long-stay

As part of induction:•Must be seen by a chaplain with 48 hours•Chaplaincy role not just religious•Full pastoral care•May ask to see a Chaplain at any time once admitted

•After induction, prisoners are moved on to one of seven wings A-G•Wings A,B,C and D are in the old part as above•A (segregation unit), B and C (general, 140 each), D (vulnerable prisoners)

A courtyard outside one of the older wings

•E wing (Drug services Unit) in the new part of the prison•Prisoners in need of detoxification on admittance would go straight here

F wing in the new part (Induction wing)

G wing (enhanced regime for older prisoners and foreign nationals)

•There are two in each cell. Prisoners are generally locked in from 5 pm•There is also a healthcare wing – typical cell bottom far right. •Chaplains visit prisoners in healthcare every day.

•Prisoners can book visits for their families and friends•There are volunteer visitors for those who would otherwise have none

•Visitors sit in groups and the prisoner sits on the red chair.•Chaplains will attend the visitors centre everyday and talk with prisoners and their families•There is a shop to purchase food and drink.

•There is a children’s section in the visitors’ centre. •This is facilitated by the Ormiston Trust and run by the local WI.

•The Chaplaincy centre is multi-faith•There is an Anglican, RC and Muslim chaplain on staff and other volunteers•All prisoners can attend courses eg The Wayland “Living with Loss” course or the Alpha course (at the time I was present there were 15 in attendance and each received individual prayer)

•Services and courses are held in the chapel•Muslim Friday prayers, RC mass Saturdays, Anglican communion Sundays•On the Sunday I attended there were also two Baptisms