Looking After Prisoners
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In the 19th century, a small team made up of guards, a priest and a doctor was sufficient to look after the inmates: close watch, hygiene, work if possible, medical care when required, and spiritual counseling.
At the end of the 20th century, the repressive prison model’s shortcomings were identified. Today, correctional authorities hire professionals to help inmates control their inner demons and mend their ways before they’re released.
Prison Chaplain
Jules Beaulac, prison chaplain, recalls his experience with detainees.
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“I worked in prison as a Catholic chaplain for 15 years. When I first came into this environment, what struck me the most was the number of doors I had to go through to reach my office or the chapel – steel bar doors, always locked, always making a lot of noise.
“Then I got to know the people who live there: the guards, called peace officers by the authorities, but dubbed with all sorts of names by detainees serving their sentences or defendants awaiting trial.
“In this business, you have to get accepted both by those inside and outside the prison cells. Everyone is “checking you out” to see if you’re “all right”. If you pass the test, you can stay for a long time and work in a positive and interesting way".
Religion and Therapy
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To get detainees to mend their ways, a Catholic or Protestant chaplain would visit them in their cells. He celebrated mass in the prison chapel on Sundays.
Prisoner support took on a new meaning when rehabilitation professionals started working in prisons in the 1950’s and 60’s: social workers, psychiatrists, parole officers. Inmates, particularly those in federal penitentiaries, were given more than religious instruction; they were offered aid to pull themselves together and get out of their life of crime: therapeutic response plans to deal with traumas and addictions, counseling and assistance for their reintegration into the community. Also, teachers went behind bars to give detainees vocational training and academic education.
Compassion and Support
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Although the general population is somewhat indifferent to the plight of prisoners, some people extend compassion to them and get involved with detainee support organizations.
Since 1882, the Salvation Army has provided services to inmates and ex-inmates, including halfway houses, the first of which was founded in Toronto in 1890. The John Howard Society offers prevention programs for youth at risk of falling into crime. It also calls for prison reform. The Elizabeth-Fry Society provides assistance to women in the criminal justice system.
These organizations have been a great help in the improvement of prison conditions and recognition of inmates’ rights.
