Chaplaincy Program
Bridges of Canada Chaplaincy Services complements the organization's holistic recovery approach, catering to the emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual needs of individuals. Chaplains offer diverse spiritual services, enabling inmates to explore and practice their personal spiritual beliefs while maintaining the facility's security and order.
Recognizing spirituality as a powerful catalyst for change, chaplains are integral in assisting inmates interested in spiritual paths. They aid in deepening inmates' understanding and dedication to their faith, while also working alongside clinical staff to support comprehensive treatment programs.
These services include facilitating spiritual programs, ensuring the smooth conduct of all spiritual activities in the facility, and providing counseling. Chaplains also assist inmates with religious materials, observances, and dietary requirements, and play a role in advising facility management on faith-related matters.
As a professionally trained and formally designated faith leader, chaplains are responsible for the following:
Developing programs related to spirituality for inmates
Coordinating all spirituality activities that take place within the facility
Providing spiritual counseling and guidance upon request to those inmates of the chaplain’s faith group
Assisting any inmate with special requests for literature, sacred items, holy day observances, dietary needs, or access to an officially credentialed spiritual advisor
Providing guidance to facility directors on any matters of faith expression
Collaborating with the clinical team by responding to any direct referrals for counseling and/or treatment options
Assuming the lead role in delivering emergency notifications and assisting with any related crisis counseling
Serving in the role of spiritual advisor to any staff member requesting their counsel
