A. They serve as Christian pastors to inmates of that faith. In this role, they conduct worship services, preach, teach, administer sacraments and provide spiritual counseling and crisis intervention. A chaplain also is the religious coordinator for the institution. The Chaplain schedules meeting times and … provides religious materials and secures religious volunteers from the community for inmates of all faiths. Chaplains ensure that whether you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or whatever, you will be able to practice your religion in the least restrictive means possible.

A. Well, for one thing, this is America. People do not lose their guaranteed First Amendment right to religious liberty when they are incarcerated. There are … restrictions on what they can do, but generally inmates have the right to worship, study and grow in their faith. Also, Congress passed, and the president signed into law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in 2000. Since this was passed, there has been a huge emphasis on faith-based prison and transitional programs.
But most importantly, there is an ethical responsibility to provide opportunities for redemption and change to persons who are incarcerated. Nearly all inmates are eventually going to be released back into the community. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if many of these individuals could experience a spiritual conversion or possibly reconnect to abandoned religious beliefs and go on to grow in their faith while they’re incarcerated? We are creating a safer society for our children and grandchildren when ex-offenders come back into society with a new or renewed set of values.