The American Penitentiary System and the Orthodox Ministry of Prisonstranslated

On July 26, hundreds of Orthodox parishes from all ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the United States will participate in a joint initiative to highlight the work of ministry in prisons. Nevertheless, the way in which this ministry is practiced today may surprise many.

Adaptation to the American penitentiary system For nearly thirty years, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) has been adapting to the changing needs of the American prison system, developing specialized programs that continue to change the lives not only of prisoners, but also of their families and friends. One of them is the Storybook Connections program, which helps incarcerated parents maintain a bond with their children through the power of reading. So, along with the picture books, the children also receive audio recordings, in which the parents read stories from the prison. The Network of Orthodox Clergy (Clergy Corps) of the Ministry of Prisons brings together Orthodox priests and deacons from all over the territory, who undertake the ministry of prisoners...