The chaplains in the Los Angeles County jails, some of whom were once behind bars themselves, are united by a simple mission: remind inmates of their humanity. It’s a job they often do in one-on-one visits. They’ll tell jokes, share a prayer, teach a religious text, or simply listen.
Many inmates come from broken homes, have been homeless, or don’t have someone who cares about them. The attention and compassion of a chaplain can go a long way.
The county provides no funding for jail chaplains, so their presence depends on volunteers and religious institutions that may offer support. Consequently, chaplains from particular faiths can struggle or work long hours to meet the demand of inmates who want to see them.
Jewish and Muslim chaplains are severely underrepresented in L.A county jails, leaving many of those who are incarcerated without the religious support and guidance they need. https://t.co/hmbEx7EZFt
— Pillars Fund (@pillars_fund) November 4, 2019