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Missouri Wiccan Prison Ministry
- The need for volunteers (VIC's)
- Prison Chaplain jobs (pay range $26,000 to $38,000)
- How do I find out more about Wiccan prison ministry? (contact info)
- Return to Moon Tree Circle home page
"If they were really Wiccan, they wouldn't be in prison!"
When asked about participating in prison ministry for Wiccan inmates, some people in the Neo-Pagan community respond with this reply. Sometimes this statement is used to dismiss the idea of reaching out or helping Wiccan inmates. The truth is that many inmates who are Wiccan became Wiccan since they have been incarcerated, usually through reading books or asking questions about Wicca from a knowledgeable inmate.
It sometimes seems people hold a different standard for Wiccan inmates than for Wiccans on the outside. How many times can you think of someone on the outside acting in a manner unbecoming of Wiccans? How many times can you think of someone seemingly disregarding the Wiccan Rede in their words or actions? How many times can you think of when you or someone you know has made a poor choice in life?
Yes, there are some people in prison who committed a crime knowingly and with premeditation. But there are some people in prison who made a poor decision or rash choice in their lives which resulted in their incarceration, and some of them are Wiccan.
What is our responsibility to inmates striving to practice the Wiccan path? At the very least, many of these inmates will be released to rejoin society, and they will become part of our local Neo-Pagan communities at that time.
In general, Wiccan beliefs encourage one to look at the whole cycle of life, not just the "pretty white light and hot tubs" side. Embracing the darker aspects of the human psyche and integrating them in a constructive manner is one of the great theological strengths of Wicca. Prisons and jails are one aspect of society that exists in the shadow, out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Few people choose to look at prisons, and even fewer look closely.
In 1994 (in Columbia, Missouri) a local survey of attitudes was conducted among a wide variety of participating religions and denominations. Compared with most Christian churches, Wicca ranked high in concern for preservation of the earth, equality for women, and recycling. However, Wicca ranked extremely low in the traditional humanitarian concerns of churches and religions, such as feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and visiting the elderly.
Wiccan inmates filed lawsuits which resulted in the Missouri Department of Corrections recognizing Wicca as a valid religion in the State of Missouri in 1994.
Even so, Wicca has only been implemented over the past 2 years or so in the prisons, and change comes slowly. Although there are many fine correctional officers, staff, and employees, some Wiccan inmates face daily harassment from some guards and other inmates when their religious beliefs become known. Many Wiccan inmates who are standing up and requesting their right to practice Wicca are doing so out of a sincere interest in Wicca. Generally speaking, inmates who might be attracted to Wicca for the wrong reasons (such as acquiring power over others) are opportunistic, and are unwilling to put up with the discrimination and stigma many Wiccan inmates face at this time. The majority of inmates practicing Wicca are sincere in their interest and committed to Wicca as spiritual path.
Where are the prisons with Wiccan inmates located?
At this time (late 1998), at least 250 Wiccan inmates reside in about 16 prisons across the State of Missouri:
- 5 prisons are within 90 miles of St. Louis
- 3 prisons are within 90 miles of Kansas City
- 6 prisons are within a 90 mile radius around central Missouri
- 1 prison is within 30 miles of Springfield
- 1 treatment center is in Marysville (northeast of St Joseph)
- 2 facilities are under construction in south central Missouri--one is in Licking, MO south of Rolla
- and a variety of community release centers and other minor facilities are located around the state
For more complete information on the location of prisons in Missouri, go to the The Missouri Department of Corrections home page
- Become a pen pal to a Wiccan inmate or study group, maintaining firm boundaries, of course.
- Adopt a Wiccan study group to receive donations of books, music cassettes, and supplies. (Groups may receive donations care of the prison's Chapel. Individual inmates may not receive donations.)
- Create a correspondence course on Wicca, or write an article on a topic you are knowledgeable about, and make it available free of charge to Wiccan inmates. (Stamps are hard to come by in prison.)
- Become a Volunteer in Corrections (V.I.C.) and supervise a monthly or a weekly study group inside a prison.
Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of interacting with inmates or going inside a prison. This is a normal response. Prison ministry is not for everyone. If in your heart of hearts you are uncomfortable with the idea of interacting with inmates or visiting a prison, then it would be wise not to do so.
The need for volunteers
As of August 1999 there are Wiccan inmates at every prison in the state (about 16 facilities). There are Wicca groups that are meeting--or that would like to meet--at all but 2 of them. All of these groups need VIC's (volunteer in corrections) to come in at least once a month and provide teaching and to lead them in group worship. In general, inmates treat VIC's extremely well, and especially Wiccan inmates, because they know that volunteers do not have to be using their spare time to provide services at a prison. A VIC's presence provides legitimacy and a source of expert knowledge for the Wicca religion in that facility.
Many of the Wiccan inmates in Missouri prisons found Wicca since they have been incarcerated, and have only books to guide them. This makes a VIC especially valuable as they can show how to apply the material in books to real life experiences. Additionally, some prisons require a VIC to be present before they will allow Wiccan rituals to be performed by inmates, and some prisons will not allow a Wicca group to meet at all unless a VIC has been found to guide the group. VIC's do not have to hold ministerial credentials.
Currently there are 5 Wiccan VIC's providing services to 5 of Missouri's prisons: The women's prisons at Chillicothe and Vandalia, the Tipton Correctional Center, the Ozark Correctional Center near Springfield, and Jefferson City Correctional Center-one of the 3 prisons in Jefferson City. That means there are about 10 facilities without anyone providing knowledge, expertise, and leadership in Wicca.
Prison Chaplain jobs
On a related topic, from time to time jobs are available for Chaplain positions at various facilities. Pay range is from $26, 000 to $38,000, and requires a bachelor's degree in religion, psychology, sociology, or related field, an endorsement from an applicant's religious body, and 2 year's experience in religious programming. Prior chaplaincy experience, prison/jail ministry work, inter-faith work, and Clinical Pastoral Counseling training are desirable. I have every reason to believe that a Wiccan applicant would be considered on the same basis as any other applicant. Winfrey Dickerson, the current head supervisor of Religious and Spiritual Programming for the Department of Corrections, is very committed to an inclusive and ecumenical chaplaincy at the prisons. To find out more about Chaplain positions, call Winfrey Dickerson at (573) 526-6489 or go to the Index on The Missouri Department of Corrections home page.
What kind of people do prison ministry?
- People who are reliable, dependable, and good at follow-through.
- People who have a positive attitude and who walk their talk.
- People who are able to treat inmates and staff with human dignity and respect.
- People who have patience to work effectively within a state bureaucracy.
- People who can work well as a team: with an inmate group, with a prison chaplain, and with other Wiccan V.I.C.s in the state.
- People who are focused and able to maintain a professional distance in their interactions with inmates.
- People who can present a positive impression of Wicca to people who believe it is devil-worship.
- People who are experienced and knowledgeable about Wicca, and who can effectively teach and facilitate group interaction.
- People who are emotionally stable and not involved in illegal activity.
- People who are calm and centered, and not on a power trip or bossy.
In the best of circumstances, someone who chooses to do prison ministry feels an inner calling to do so, and it becomes a vehicle for personal growth and community service. For those who think that prison ministry is something they might want to know more about, there can be unexpected blessings and rewarding experiences along the way. Some people experience a deepening of their faith through the challenges and commitments of a prison ministry.
How do I find out more about Wiccan prison ministry?
- If you would like to know more about prison ministry for Wiccan inmates,
- If you would like to talk to someone who is doing Wiccan prison ministry and ask them about their experiences,
- or would like to schedule a presentation on Wiccan prison ministry for your group or circle, contact:
| Maenwyn Raiti |
| c/o |
| Beth Lushede Community |
| P.O. Box 520291 |
| Independance, MO 64052 |
| (near Kansas City) |
| E-mail: Maenwyn@aol.com |
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Copyright 1998 Moon Tree Circle. First edition September 1998. Web page last revised: November 13, 2001.