We discuss two aspects of Christian Jail
Ministry CJM operating practices: 1) Basic Governance of CJM
(CJM Board, Administrative Structure, and CJM's Relationship to
HCDC), and 2) Long-Held Policies (Chaplain Compensation, Social
Assistance, Ministry Prioritization, and Openness).
I. Basic Governance
A. CJM Board:
CJM functions under the oversight of its Board. The Board
normally meets 2-3 times a year (usually in February to assess
the previous year and provide direction for the coming year;
normally in October to set the budget for the coming year; in
between as needed) with Committees and Task Forces meeting as
needed. The CJM Board is composed of local clergy
(from a number of denominations), Howard County Detention Center
(HCDC) leadership (ex officio members of the Board), CJM
Chaplains (ex officio members of the Board), and CJM volunteers.
Link here for identity of current members of the CJM Board.
B. Administrative Structure:
The
CJM Lead Chaplain has executive leadership responsibilities for
CJM as well as chaplain responsibilities. The CJM Lead Chaplain
provides general overall direction for CJM chaplains and all
associate and chaplain assistants, as well as for all CJM
programs. Particular individuals may be assigned particular
areas of responsibility.
C. Relationship to the Howard County
Detention Center (HCDC): HCDC recognizes CJM chaplains as
chaplains for HCDC and treats them as quasi-members of the HCDC
staff. CJM provides HCDC with administrative assistance for
religious programs at HCDC, training and orienting volunteers
for religious programs and performing initial screening of
prospective volunteers for HCDC religious programs. CJM
recognizes that HCDC leaders have the final say about all
programs at HCDC.
II. Long-held Policies
A. Chaplain Compensation:
CJM may employ a
chaplain or contract for chaplaincy services from chaplains who
are self-employed professionals. Consequently, such
contract-services chaplains are not technically CJM employees,
and the CJM Board does not attempt to tell them how to conduct
the ministry which they are contracted to lead. Compensation
offered by CJM is pegged to compensation for pastors in the area
for the Lead Chaplain role and to compensation for associate
pastors in the area for Chaplains. The basis for this
compensation comes from a survey of pastoral/associate pastor
compensation every two-three years. In between such surveys, the
compensation level is adjusted for inflation. Neither CJM
Associate Chaplains nor Chaplain Assistants receive
compensation.
B. Social Assistance: CJM is concerned about the whole
person, and where appropriate with its capabilities provides
social help for inmates, former inmates, and the families of
inmates and former inmates. However, CJM as a matter of policy
does not intervene in matters between the inmate and the court.
No character references are provided, nor are the expectations
of CJM chaplains about an inmate’s prospects for the future
given to the court or to the inmate’s attorney. If requested by
an inmate’s attorney, only factual points for which CJM has
records (such as Bible correspondence course lessons, activity
participation, etc.) will be provided. CJM social assistance is
provided without regard to an inmate’s religious persuasion or
participation in CJM programs. For example, toiletries for
indigent inmates which CJM provides for HCDC are distributed by
the HCDC staff on the basis of need. The Christmas for Inmate
Children program is open to children of all inmates, and the
same kinds of toys, clothes, and other gifts are provided
irrespective of the beliefs and program participation of the
inmate.
C. Program Prioritization: CJM has not had
adequate resources to meet all needs of HCDC inmates and their
families. CJM gives priority to inside-HCDC programs over After
Care because community resources (churches and others) have more
opportunities to minister to needs of inmate families and former
inmates than they would to HCDC inmates without CJM.
D. Openness:
CJM
operates openly. Any interested person is welcome at
meetings of the CJM Board or of its Committees and Task Forces.
CJM's use of its resources, its interactions with others, etc.
are likewise available to the public.
E. Confidentiality: CJM formalized its
confidentiality policy in the
Fall of 2000.
