Newsletter

Welcome to Past Issues of Newsletters Concerning Topics of Interest in Prison Ministry and Justice Involvement, Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.

In this section of our website, we present reprints of past issues of newsletters covering topics of interest to readers concerning justice involvement, psychiatric issues, and the history of some of our past projects – both operating or currently paused – which may point the way toward new endeavors in the future.  These newsletters are organized by topic for easy reference and include the original publication dates.  Each newsletter is in PDF format and can be downloaded by the reader by clicking its icon. 

History of Storybook Projects at Ontario County Jail in Hopewell NY and at the Monroe County Jail in Downtown Rochester NY.

The first two newsletters documented the by the late Claire Kremer in founding a Storybook Project in the Ontario County Jail in Hopewell, near Canandaigua, NY.  The first newsletter was published in December 2010, and the second one in June 2015.  The second newsletter included the documentary film titled “Turn the Page” which was televised nationwide on the PBS network and featured this project.  The “Northeast District” referred to the name of the project is the name of the Northeast District for the Rochester Episcopal Diocese.  The third newsletter, published in June of 2016, documents the beginning of the Rochester Storybook Project, which was inspired and assisted by the original storybook project in Hopewell.  Note that the Rochester Storybook Project now operates in the Monroe County Jail in Downtown Rochester, and not at the Monroe Correctional Facility located in Brighton, NY, where it originated.

History of the Women’s Rehabilitation Program “Step-by-Step”

This program was founded by the late Margery Mayke, and the late Pat Merle.  The program has been very successful in aiding the rehabilitation of several thousand female inmates in our geographic area.  Step-by-Step continues in operation to this day.

Volunteering at the Industry Limited Secure Facility in Rush NY for Male Youth

The Industry Facility in Rush, NY has been served for many years by many volunteers who helped residents with their school homework, as well as led other activities.  The first newsletter details work that two members of the Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee did, one as a Youth Detention Officer (YDA) and the second as a civilian volunteer.  The second newsletter details a project that operates a kitchen and small restaurant for the staff, as well as other projects used to produce food by the residents.  All of these projects are being used as training aids for the residents.  Students helping in the kitchen often leave Industry with culinary certificates, and several have been immediately employed outside the facility.

Rehabilitation and Reentry Programs at Catholic Family Center

The Catholic Family Center offers many programs for reentry, rehabilitation for drug addiction, psychological counseling, and other services.  Members of the Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee were frequent volunteers for these programs.

Mental Health Issues for Children and Young Adults

Several newsletters dealt with trauma and related issues, which often lead to crime and incarceration.  Some of these newsletters were based on lectures by psychiatrists working with the University of Rochester Medical Center and contain suggestions for therapy.  Those experiencing child psychiatric issues should pay special attention to the newsletter for June 2017 below, and after reading it, go to the recommended website www.aacap.org.  Both this newsletter and the website referenced in the newsletter can be very helpful.

Reducing Gun Violence in Rochester

This newsletter details efforts to reduce gun violence in Rochester through intervention and in many cases, interruption of heated disagreements between participants.  In New York State, this has been in operation for several years in the Albany area under the acronym SNUG (guns spelled backward).  One of the proponents of this approach to reducing gun violence Dr. Gary Slutkin, started as an epidemiologist and had done extensive work on stopping the Ebola epidemic in Africa. He is the founder of “Cure Violence, Inc,” which operates nationwide in the US, and addresses gun violence .  He views so much of the violence in our cities as a “mental health” issue, rather than just a criminal justice issue.  He is featured in this newsletter.

Use of Therapy Dogs in the Monroe Correctional Facility

In 2018, a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church obtained permission from the staff at the Monroe Correctional Facility to bring in therapy dogs and introduce them to small groups of inmates.  The inmates could interact with the dogs.  The program was very popular.  At roughly the same time, the staff started a program in which young pit bulls could be adopted temporarily, one at a time, and an inmate would then be assigned to train the dog.  Upon completion of training, the dog would then be adopted to a permanent owner who needed a “companion animal” that was well trained.  While these programs were popular, they needed to be curtailed when all of the inmates at the Correctional Facility were transferred to the Monroe County Jail in Downtown Rochester.  However, their success in helping inmates suggests that under the proper circumstances, programs like this could once again be used in a jail setting.

Special Housing Unit for Incarcerated Veterans

In 2018, a special housing unit dedicated to incarcerated veterans of the US Armed Forces was opened in the Monroe County Jail in Downtown Rochester.  This programming in this unit was specially tailored to the needs of these veterans.  Special attention was given to recognition of their military service, psychological issues related to their service, and, in some cases, job training has been offered upon release.  The social atmosphere inside the unit has often been a model of especially good behavior relative to regular “population” units.

Prison Ministry Conference in Florida, and Comments about Conditions at Angola Prison

In July 2015, a member of our committee attended a prison ministry conference held on Amelia Island in Florida.  This newsletter detailed his experience, ideas, and also mentioned conditions in the main prison in Louisiana, Angola Prison.

Wessley’s Mother’s Group – A Support Group of Mothers with Incarcerated Young Adult Children

It is well known that when a member of a family is incarcerated, in many cases, the entire family “does time”.  Wesley’s Mother’s Group is an example of mothers joining together to help each other.

Book Review:  "Bridges Out of Poverty" – A Guide for Care Givers Assisting People During the Reentry Process

Please contact us if you require additional information about any of our ministries or if you have any questions. We are interested in your ideas and plans for ministry.   If you are incarcerated or a family member of an inmate, please let us know how we can serve you through any of our ministries.  Contact us at:  Phone  (585) 309-6345  or via email at bgh@aol.com.