If one looks at this from the perspective of "equal access under the law," there is a glaring discrepancy within the prison system. The "we'd love to have a Pagan chaplain in our system but not in my prison" mentality experienced by the many commenters not only needs addressed, but stopped.
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The reality is that these numbers show a significant need for continued prison ministry, something that Pagan chaplains have continued to do as a part of their service to the community. Yet there is a significant lack of understanding about the needs of prisoners in general, and Pagan prisoners more specifically. It is very common for general society to lock the realities of prison life out of the mind of the average person. Yet the reality of the prison industrial complex should be a concern to everyone, not just Pagan chaplains.
In exploring the needs of Pagan prisoners and religious services within State and Federal facilities, there are many things to consider. The racial disparities, systemic inequities, structural challenges and overall demands of prison take a toll on individuals emotionally and spiritually. Going into the various levels of the prison facility that the average person cannot see gave me a perspective for the toll that spiritual life could take on the psyche, as well as the spiritual impact that it could have.
If equality in access to alternative spiritual guidance is important for the well-being of all prisoners, it also lends a question of how challenging it is to get Pagan clergy to assist with a myriad of clergy needs, not just the standard Wiccan-like framework of practice with which many Pagan clergy come into service. Are prisoners able to get clergy support when they practice African Traditional Religions or even paths like Hellenic practices? Do we have the capacity as a Pagan community to provide clergy support that encompasses some of the cultural differences within our community?
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The ongoing discussion surrounding Pagans who are incarcerated and the community’s role in this supportive obligation is one that has gone on for some time. Inadequate clergy services can be just as harmful as not having any at all, and yet the community appears to be limited in resources to address this need. Prisoners are potentially vulnerable to misinformation at a time when they may looking for some way to connect to meaning inside of the prison walls, and without ways to access community, additional resources or even verify information they are being told. The lack of specific requirements of training to make someone qualified to do prison ministerial duties can cause problems for the inmates and for the community at large. Furthermore not everyone has ability or skill to navigate the political and potentially manipulative dynamic of working with the behaviors of prisoners.
Culture and Community: The Complexity of Pagans in Prison | The Wild Hunt
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