Chapter 6

Communicating With the Inmate

Laymen prison counselors should learn how to communicate with an inmate. In the first visit spend the time listening to the inmate as he tells his problems and background to you, the counselor. Listening is one of the finest tools the counselor has. He must likewise understand the inmate's point of view. Following are several rules of listening.

1. Face the speaker.
2. Listen to the speaker.
3. Listen for ideas and underlying feelings.
4. Allow for your own bias.
5. Keep your mind on what the inmate is saying.
6. Make a conscious effort to evaluate the logic of what you hear.
7. Don't judge ideas by the inmate's appearance or delivery.
8. Don't interrupt immediately if you think a statement is wrong.
9. Let Christ, who is the answer, have the last word, not yourself.
10. Don't judge the inmate's motives.

This first encounter sensitizes the trainee and the inmate to each other. You must never begin the session by telling the inmate what you think is wrong with him, or that the reason he is in jail is because he did not go to church. He has probably heard this often from his arresting officer, or the judge, or the social worker, or the court attorney, or the correction officer.

Begin by asking, "how can I help you?" Generally this is not only a good spiritual approach, but also a good psychological approach. Right away we are attacking the problem of the inmate's basic needs and concerns. First, what can we do? Then, here's what Jesus will do for you. Motivate the inmate, put him at ease. Share with him your Christian experience.

There are other basic viewpoints that a counselor must bear in mind as he communicates with the inmate. The counselor must understand fully the social and spiritual needs of the inmate. Many inmates who are completely sincere in their conversion are disappointed that the individual involved in leading them to their conversion actually stops short of giving the help they so greatly desire and that is so essential when they are released from prison. The freedom that the inmate yearns for is also the freedom that he dreads. The inmate looks for and longs for his liberty but likewise dreads the freedom that deprives him of employment because of his past sins against society. This view-point and employment problems are matters that the church and those involved in prison ministry outreach must deal with.

Instruction for Lay-Chaplain Counselors

Here are some basic guidelines that must be adhered to, and a counselor should never let his sympathy outweigh his/her good judgment to break any of the following:

1. Do not make promises to the inmates that you know you can't keep.
2. Do not in any way reprimand them about their previous conditions or what they "may" have done to be placed here.
3. Do not give any money or anything that can be converted into money. This is against the law.
4. It is against the law to give anything to an inmate. If you have anything for him, you can give it to the guard and ask him if he can give it to the inmate.
5. Do not make the mistake of letting an inmate think he can run a game on you (con you, or fool you) simply because you are a Christian. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.
6. Do not bring into the prison or jail a tape recorder of any size, or a camera.
7. If a doubtful situation arises, consult your leader or prison ministry coordinator.
8. If someone's name is not on the entrance list at the prison at least two weeks ahead of time, do not try to get them in at the last minute.

We have dealt with some "don'ts." Now let us take a look at some positive factors that a layman prison counselor must consider:

1. Do write to the inmates to whom you have spoken or who have impressed you.
2. Do meet and arrive together--as a visiting group of laymen counselors this is essential--at the designated prison or jail, and arrive on time.
3. Do make a list of the inmates who come to the meeting, and how many workers were present.
4. Do remember that the responsibility you assume as counselor is a very serious one. Every action you undertake in behalf of the inmates must be taken with utmost dedication.
5. Do remember that in many cases, until you see the inmate the following Sabbath, you hold his love, his hope and future in your hands. Guard these well and remember that through Christ every inmate is redeemable.