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The Job Description of the Chaplain
An important aspect of this study is to tap into the current job description of chaplains as it focuses on the critical appraisal of the chaplaincy. There is a standard job description for chaplains in the DCS. Through the examination of the job description of chaplains, the data gathered from the three sources (chaplains, correctional officials and inmates) in the fourth chapter of this study will be partly juxtaposed to what the job description of a chaplain entails. Correctional chaplains in South Africa have to follow performance management system rules and requirements as laid down by the DCS. As an administrator the chaplain is responsible for management and coordination of Spiritual Care services in all correctional centres in the Management Area. This would include the following activities:
Development of spiritual care operational plans for the management area on an annual basis. This strategic exercise is done at the beginning of the financial year which starts in the month of April and ends in the month of March the following year.
Implementation of Spiritual Care Policies and Procedures in the Management Area. It is the responsibility of the chaplains to introduce, train and implement the spiritual care policies in the management area. This is to ensure that there is common understanding and interpretation of the policy.
Monitoring and evaluation of compliance to spiritual care policies and procedures and applicable legislation in the Management Area. The policy compliance level of the management area is monitored and evaluated on an annual basis at four levels; correctional centre, management area, regional and national levels.
Monitoring of the implementation is of pivotal importance. The level of compliance with the policy has to be monitored and evaluated as non-compliance may have serious repercussions for the Department.
Reporting on spiritual care programmes and services. Reporting on the work done is an integral part of spiritual care and the work of the Department as a whole.
Daily activities of spiritual care services and programmes are accounted for by the people at correctional centre level as well as the chaplain. There are reporting systems in place to ensure the flow of information is effective.
Marketing of spiritual care programmes and services. Spiritual care programmes and services have to be marketed internally and externally. Internally the target group for the chaplaincy, which is the inmates, who have to be given orientation presentations on the available spiritual care programmes and services. This is a critical exercise after inmates are admitted into the correctional centre. There ar set timelines for such an activity that the spiritual care component has to adhere
to. The chaplain has to reach out to broader society outside the correctional centre to ensure that the need of spiritual care services in terms of spiritual workers volunteers and service providers is known. There is a wide range of stakeholders that are under the banner of spiritual care services that the chaplain has to liaise with. This would include faith based organisations, non-governmental organisations and even community based organisations.
Dealing with complaints and requests by offenders regarding spiritual care. The chaplain has to process all complaints of inmates with regard to the spiritual programmes and services. Complaints may be about religious diets, celebration of special holy days and other issues. There is a timeline that is set within which the chaplain has to respond.
Research regarding spiritual care programmes and services. The chaplain has to conduct research on the impact of services and programmes that are rendered to the inmates. This would generate new knowledge and also inform the future operation of spiritual care services in the DCS. The gap which needs to be addressed is that:
Research in practical theology, the chosen field of this study is still lacking.
Reflection on the Job Description of a Chaplain
What is crystal clear from the job description is that the chaplain in the DCS is a chaplain to the organization and not to his or her own adherents. Chaplaincy forms an integral part of the structure of the DCS as an organization. It is distinct in the sense that it has to ensure that spiritual care services and programmes are provided by the DCS.
In South Africa, Correctional Chaplains act as Spiritual Care Managers in ensuring that all inmates are afforded opportunities to practice their religion according to the prescripts of their church or faith. This is depicted in the job description as it is customized and talks to the chaplains’ context.
From an objective stance, the question is: are the chaplains that are appointed to serve in the DCS trained on all the deliverables that are expected as articulated in their job description? The job description provides all aspects that have to be executed by the chaplain and another question is: are the skills needed to operationalize this job description considered? The competencies that the chaplains need to fulfill all the key responsibility areas cannot be underestimated. These arguments are relevant as a new chaplain may be overwhelmed by the responsibilities which are actually not part of theological training but inherent in practice. The data in the fourth chapter would determine whether the job description of a chaplain is only on paper or is being executed as set.
It is important to indicate where the chaplain fits structurally in the DCS as core knowledge would determine where chaplains are to fit and function effectively. This structural placement of chaplains can also depict the level of competence and the influence the chaplains have in decision making.
CHAPTER 1 Introduction and the Conceptual Framework
1.1 Introductory orientation to the Chaplaincy in the Department of Correctional Services
1.2 Historical Background of Correctional Chaplaincy in South Africa
1.3 Problem Statement
1.4 The Research Question
1.5 Research Gaps
1.6 Current Trends of Research
1.7 Hypotheses and Objectives of the Study
1.8 The Significance of the Study
1.9 The Researcher’s Position
1.10 Limitation of the Study
1.11 Ethical Consideration
1.12 Overview of the Study According to Chapters
1.13 Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 2 The Methodology of the Study
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Research Methodology
2.3 Use of Questionnaires and Literature
2.4 Etymology of “Chaplain”
2.5 Practical Theology Reflection on the Study
2.6 Chaplaincy to the Imprisoned as the Mission of God (missio Dei)
2.7 Traditions of Pastoral Care that Speak to Correctional Chaplaincy
2.8 The Correctional Chaplain’s Office
2.9 Link Between Views of Gerkin and the White Paper on Corrections in South Africa 2005
2.10 Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 3 The Legal Mandate, Profile and Dynamics of Chaplaincy
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Legal Framework of chaplaincy
3.3 The Strategic Positioning of Chaplains
3.4 The Involvement of Spiritual Workers and Volunteers in Chaplaincy Work
3.5 Recruitment of Chaplains
3.7 Chaplaincy: Professional and Personal Development
3.8 The Job Description of the Chaplain
3.9 Reflection on the Job Description of a Chaplain
3.10 Diversity in the Department of Correctional Services
3.11 Chaplains’ ministry in a Correctional Services’ Diverse Context
3.12 The Importance of an Empathic and Non-judgmental Stance by Spiritual Care Personnel
3.13 Inmates’ Participation in Programmes and Services
3.14 Chaplaincy in the DCS as a Constitutional Imperative
3.15 A Career Path for Correctional Chaplains
3.16 A Synopsis of What Correctional Chaplaincy in other Countries Entails.
3.17 Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 4 Data Analysis
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Chaplains’ Responses
4.3 Correctional officials’ responses
4.4 Inmates’ Responses
4.5 Reflection on the responses of the chaplains
4.6 Reflection of the responses of the correctional officials
4.7 Reflection on the responses of the inmates
4.8 Shortcomings of the chaplains’ ministry to the inmates
4.9 Comparison of chaplains and inmates’ responses
4.10 Comparison of chaplains and correctional officials’ responses
4.11 Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 5 Analysis of the Findings and Futuristic Views
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Juxtaposition of Literature with Findings
5.3 Observations/Shortcomings/Gaps on the Chaplaincy in the DCS
5.4 Re-aligning the DCS Chaplaincy for a New Era
5. 5 Building a Caring Chaplaincy
5.6 Building capacity for improved service delivery by the chaplaincy
5.7 Practical support by churches and faith groups
5.8 Ecumenical involvement
5.9 Preliminary Conclusion
CHAPTER 6 Main Conclusion:The Synopsis of the Study and Recommendations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Recap of the Problem Statement and Key Findings
6.3 Restatement of the Research Objectives
6.4 Recommendations
6.5 Summary of chapters
6.6 Further Research
6.7 Conclusion of the study
APPENDIXES
ANNEXURE A
ANNEXURE B
ANNEXURE C
Letter of Consent
BIBLIOGRAPHY
