Dept. of Corrections - California Youth Authority - Mental Health
Developmental Services - Veteran Affairs

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California's State
Chaplains
 

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States declares,
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

And the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution indicates,
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States."

Furthermore, Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of California directs,
"Free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed."

California State Chaplaincy
A Brief History

For many years, Federal and State representatives have made it clear that those confined to institutional care shall be afforded opportunities to exercise their religion of choice.
In 1931, the State of California recognized and fulfilled this constitutional obligation by utilizing the presence of professional chaplains to serve the residents in state institutions.
These chaplains minister to the inmates, wards, and patients residing in California state institutions under the administration of the Departments of Corrections, Youth Authority, Mental Health, Developmental Services and Veteran Affairs.
In 1957, the professional chaplain was made part of the permanent civil service for state employees.  The professional chaplaincy reflects the commitment of t

he State of California to assure the right of  those residents in California state institutions to freely practice their religion.
On October 12th, 1997, a concurrent California Assembly Resolution was introduced commending State Chaplains for their many years of service to the residence of state correctional facilities and hospitals.

Chaplain Responsibilities

The professional chaplain fulfills a unique role in the mandated mission of their respective
department as they serve the individuals living in California state institutional settings.  Chaplains serve a vast variety of religious faiths represented by these individuals and routinely provide spiritual ministry, moral guidance and instruction to these persons and their families.
When confronted with life transitions and personal crisis, inmates, wards and patients will often seek out the chaplain for advice, comfort and direction.  These institutionalized persons usually have severe and complicated personal histories that make specialized pastoral counseling all the more important.
The inmates, patients or wards have a permanent and continuous need for an available, competent and trusted chaplain to whom they may turn in a time of need.  This ministry cannot be fulfilled by a part time, unknown volunteer brought into the institution on an intermittent basis.
Chaplains conduct religious services specific to their faith groups, administer the appropriate sacraments and rites, visit the sick, provide spiritual direction, moral guidance and counseling.  Chaplains also organize and instruct classes in religion, ethics and related issues.
California State Chaplains principally represent the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Native American and Protestant faith communities.  However, as a dimension of their responsibility for pastoral care for all residents, they also facilitate religious leaders from the community to assist in ministering to the vast variety of other religious faiths and languages present in California state institutions.
 
 

Chaplains are religious professionals who have obtained the necessary training to work with the challenging individuals who reside in state institutions.
Requirements for state chaplains include clinical training and the specific theological education and standards unique to their particular faith group.  The majority of chaplains have postgraduate degrees.  Chaplains must be reviewed and endorsed by their respective faith group in order to serve in an institutional setting, and they must remain in good standing with their accrediting religious organization.
Chaplains also have special training to deal with the issues surrounding anger, death, loss and grief.  They assist in suicide prevention through crisis counseling.  A special area of expertise the chaplain brings to the institution's treatment program is facilitating the delicate circumstances surrounding funerals and memorial services.  Chaplains also provide special bereavement counseling for those confronted with grief issues surrounding  death or suicide.
Chaplains must also demonstrate an aptitude for working effectively with the socially challenged.  This requires chaplains to demonstrate special personal characteristics including emotional stability, firmness yet patience, and good judgment in moral, ethical and religious matters.

The chaplaincy tends to that portion of our human existence referred to as the "spirit"!  No other employee classification in civil service is equipped to deal with this unusual but universal area of human concern and endeavor.  The chaplain is uniquely qualified to connect religion with the rehabilitation, strengthening and guidance of the person being treated in the institutional  setting.  In so doing, the chaplain assists in the restoration of the total person  --  spiritually, as well as morally, psychologically and physically.
The National Mental Health Leadership Forum, through its studies, has shown that the majority of people seek a spiritual healing as well as mental and physical.
The administrator of Columbia University Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, Joseph Califano, states, "Religion is often a crucial part of effective treatment."  Columbia University's survey found the best predictor and motivational factor for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is whether a person practices a religion.
The Washington Times recently reported the results of a study that concluded that those prisoners who are involved in the institutions religious program, are less likely to reoffend. Upon release from prison, only 14 percent of those that were involved in the institutional religious program were re-arrested as compared to 41 percent of those that were not religiously involved.
Chaplains work in concert with other staff members in order to carry out the institutions overall treatment program.  Chaplains, as specialist in pastoral care, represent the spiritual dimension of the human existence, and their presence reinforces this dimension of the human existence to both the institutionalized person as well as the staff of the institutions. As an envoy to the community, chaplains often speak to local churches, synagogues, mosques or other religious or civic groups.  State chaplains are a connection to the larger community outside the institution.  This association with the community facilitates important and unique volunteer services that assist in reinforcing and delivering institutional program goals and the unique mission of each department.
The State Chaplain brings specialized training, a capable personal aptitude, and valuable resource to help institutionalized persons make positive progress in life.  The chaplain's endeavors are critical to the success of these individuals.

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