Deacons play major roles behind bars

For Deacons Mark Leonard and Thomas Sharrow, the New York prison system is more than steel and stone, more than crimes and sentences.

It is a "hothouse microcosm of the world," a city the size of Schenectady or Troy, with just as many different religious needs.

Deacon Leonard, who also serves at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland, is director of Ministerial and Family Services for the New York State Department of Corrections. Deacon Sharrow, coordinator of Catholic Ministerial Programs for the Department of Corrections, resides at St. Helen's Church in Niskayuna. He oversees all matters concerning Catholic chaplains or issues.

Many duties

According to the two deacons, chaplains provide pastoral counseling for inmates and employees, run Bible study classes, sit with the sick or dying, and coordinate within prisons difficult matters that happen fairly effortlessly in parishes.

That may include making sure they and corrections officers are on the same page in regards to getting inmates to Mass and other religious events, or securing enough volunteers secured to celebrate religious services.

Chaplains also serve corrections officers, whose stressful jobs often lead to family problems or marital stress, according to Deacon Sharrow.

Structured life

Prison chaplains standardize Bible study and faith formation classes statewide, so that inmates can "step right in" where they left off if they're transferred from one facility to another, Deacon Sharrow said.

"The important things are worship and helping people develop their religious life," Deacon Leonard said.

But chaplains are also on hand when situations aren't so normal. "There's always an inmate that has an emergency," said Deacon Sharrow, whether it be a medical, emotional or a family problem occurring on the outside. Chaplains must intervene in cases where inmates bar others from attending services due to prison politics and inform them "to leave all that stuff outside. We're all welcome in this place," he said.

Seeing Christ

Being a good prison chaplain, said the two deacons, requires the ability to see Christ in men and women who have committed terrible crimes.

"There aren't a whole lot of people who can find Christ in a murderer or rapist," Deacon Sharrow said. "I do this because I know I'm a sinner, and I've done wrong. But for the grace of God, I could be in jail. They're human beings. I don't like what she has done, but I must like her. I hate what he did, but I must love him."

The best thing a prison chaplain can offer an inmate is an "empty hand," said Deacon Leonard. "We don't give candy, pizza, trinkets. [Inmates] are not dogs you can throw a bone to."

Instead, chaplains' empty hands are free to give inmates "a handshake -- maybe even a lift up."

Having an impact

Although cutting down on recidivism isn't a main goal of the prison chaplain, chaplains rejoice when it happens. Deacon Sharrow noted that the best letters he's received come from inmates who say, "I won't come back," and never do.

"If you get one that doesn't come back, it's worth the ten that just play games all day," he noted. "Simply a guy finding out that God forgives him and that he can forgive himself -- that's a big thing for them."

For those inmates who do return to the system and those who "will never see outside the prison walls" Deacon Leonard said the challenges remain the same.

"You have to help him start again," he said. "It's not part of any major faith tradition to give up on people just because they've stumbled again."

Deacon Sharrow describes "full participation" at prison Masses: "The sections in front are always filled. They sing. Of course, some are just there to play the game, just like on the outside. But most are there only because they want to be there. And when a group of inmates sings 'Amazing Grace,' it gives you goosebumps."

(Prison chaplain have varied duties, including seeing to the various permits that must be secured when an inmate wishes to deviate from standard stipulations for personal appearance. Orthodox Jews, Muslims and some Native American faiths fall under religious requirements regarding hair length and clothing; other inmates may need permits to carry prayer beads or have shrines in their cells.)

(12/4/03) [[In-content Ad]]