Coming together at the Victorian Catholic Prison Ministry Chaplains’ Conference

How can chaplains support people experiencing imprisonment while sustaining their own faith and wellbeing?

This question sat at the heart of the Victorian Catholic Prison Ministry Chaplains’ Conference, which brought together CCV team members, chaplains and prison ministry representatives from across Victoria on 19 August. 

Presenters including Dr Jamie Calder SJ, Rev. Fr Kevin McGovern STL, Jennifer Jacobs-Vandegeer, Tess Healy, Jenna Harrison from Corrections Victoria and Dr Ruth Webber brought perspectives from theology, chaplaincy, pastoral care, research and the justice system. Together, they explored themes including human dignity, hope, rehabilitation and the wellbeing of those providing pastoral care. 

For many chaplains, however, one of the most valuable aspects of the day was the opportunity to connect with colleagues and share the realities of ministry. Deacon Jim Curtain, Senior Prison and Youth Justice Chaplain at CCV, said, “Prison chaplaincy can be a solitary task. Many of our chaplains, working independently without regular support, need to be affirmed in what they do and given strategies to cope with vicarious trauma.” 

Jacinta Wainwright, Senior Manager Community Services at CCV, said the conference provided a rare opportunity for chaplains from across Victoria to come together as a team, “Our chaplains work in prisons around the state and have few opportunities to come together. The conference gave them the chance to learn, reflect and support one another in what is challenging and rewarding work. It also helped strengthen their connection to the wider CCV community and the important work they do.” 

Powerlessness and agency

One of the key themes explored throughout the conference was the impact of imprisonment on a person’s sense of control and agency. Reflecting on experiences of powerlessness, suffering and loss of control, Dr Jamie Calder SJ described human agency as our ability to influence our lives through our hopes, values, dreams and desires. 

In prison, where many decisions are made for people, maintaining a sense of agency can be particularly difficult. People may begin to feel that life is happening to them rather than believing they still have the capacity to make choices, shape their future or work towards their goals. Discussions explored how prison ministry can help people reconnect with a sense of purpose, self-worth and possibility, even in circumstances where much of their autonomy has been lost.

Hope and possibility

Closely connected to this discussion was the role of hope in supporting people as they prepare for life beyond prison. Jenna Harrison from Corrections Victoria provided an overview of Victoria’s correctional system and the range of programs designed to support people both during their time in custody and as they prepare to return to the community. She also reflected on the challenges many people face when transitioning back into community life. 

For many people leaving prison, the challenge extends beyond finding employment. Feelings of loneliness, isolation and uncertainty can make it difficult to rebuild confidence, reconnect with community, and believe there is still a future to work towards. Discussions highlighted how employment pathways, positive role models and stories of successful reintegration shared with both prisoners and correctional staff can help foster hope and demonstrate that different outcomes are possible. 

Human dignity

Human dignity was another key theme explored throughout the conference. In a prison setting, people can easily be reduced to offences, risks, classifications, or behavioural issues. Yet prison ministry begins from a different place. It starts with the individual: their story, relationships, hopes, faith, and humanity. According to Jacinta Wainwright, preserving dignity becomes even more important in prison settings “Prison removes autonomy and liberty so preserving human dignity becomes even more important, not less; chaplaincy can create the human conditions in which rehabilitation becomes possible.” 

Conversations about dignity and inclusion also extended to how chaplains accompany people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Rev. Fr Kevin McGovern STL led discussions on LGBTIQ+ identity, scripture, Catholic teaching and pastoral approaches, encouraging thoughtful reflection on how chaplains can provide respectful and compassionate pastoral care while accompanying people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. 

Restorative practice and transformation

People in prison can face complex health, wellbeing and ageing-related needs. Drawing on her research and the work of others, Dr Ruth Webber reflected on how chaplains can respond meaningfully to these needs through advocacy and collaboration with healthcare professionals and correctional staff. Her research also demonstrated that spiritual care can play an important role in a person’s overall wellbeing and quality of life, particularly when chaplains work alongside other practitioners to support areas of need that may otherwise go unmet. 

Caring for the carers

While much of the conference focused on supporting people experiencing imprisonment, equal attention was given to the wellbeing of those providing pastoral care. 

The conference explored the emotional and spiritual impact of prison ministry, recognising that regularly walking alongside people experiencing trauma, grief and suffering can take a toll on those providing support. Participants reflected on the paradox that the same openness and empathy that make accompaniment possible can also expose chaplains to the emotional weight of the experiences they encounter. 

Through a contemplative exercise facilitated by Jennifer Jacobs-Vandegeer and small-group reflection sessions led by Tess Healy, participants were encouraged to pause and consider how their ministry shapes their relationship with God, while also creating space to explore their own emotional, spiritual and personal wellbeing. Deacon Jim Curtain noted that discussions throughout the day repeatedly returned to the importance of self-care and connection. “Over and over came the comments about the need for mutual support, and the need to maintain our personal spiritual practice if we were to avoid burnout.” His comments reinforced one of the conference’s key messages: caring for themselves is essential if chaplains are to continue caring for others. 

Looking ahead

Looking to the future of prison chaplaincy, Jacinta Wainwright said she hopes its importance continues to be recognised and fully funded in the future, “Chaplaincy provides a consistent, non-judgemental presence that recognises the person beyond their offence, sentence or circumstances. It can help people maintain hope, meaning, and a sense of worth. She said this support contributes to wellbeing, dignity, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration. 

For Deacon Jim Curtain, hope comes from the people who continue this work every day. “The comfort I have, and what keeps me going in the ministry, is the compassionate hearts of our chaplains and volunteers, giving prison residents a glimpse of hope.”