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August 22, 2019The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has more than 50 volunteers who continuously visit nine state prisons, three federal prisons and a number of smaller state facilities and county jails. The archdiocesan program is coordinated by Deacon Jim Smith.
Deacon Smith’s No. 1 responsibility is to schedule regular priest visits so prisoners
can receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Priests also are available for baptisms and confirmation.
Some prisons are so remote that visits by priests are limited to once per month. A network of volunteers help with inmate visits with messages of Jesus’ love and concern, and to let them know they are a part of a church community.
“The demand for volunteers is always great,” Deacon Smith said. “Some facilities, like the federal prison at Hinton, could have as many as 200 inmates who desire to attend Mass.”
For more than 30 years, parishioners from Saint Joseph in Ada have been visiting prisoners at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center, a medium-security facility located near Lexington.
Their devoted service has been recognized with a Team Service Award from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Elizabeth Witherow and Ann Maxwell helped start the program, with Deacon Dennis Fine continuing their good work.
The volunteers from Saint Joseph share their faith and try to strengthen the faith of the prisoners. Their ministry is one of friendship, listening, caring, outreach and a sharing of Christ’s love through action.
Their presence helps inmates function more positively within the prison environment, provides a connection to the outside community and, in some ways, prepares the inmates for re-entry into society. At Joseph Harp, they begin visits with prayer and Scripture and follow with discussion.
“We do have a need for volunteers. There are a number of things that volunteers can do, depending on their interests and talents. If a priest only can come to the prison occasionally, volunteers can take communion to inmates. They can lead groups in praying the Rosary, they can help with Bible study,” Deacon Smith said.
“We even have RCIA classes going at a number of the prisons. Volunteers also can correspond with inmates if they can’t visit in person. Volunteers say it's one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done.”
For more information about prison ministry in the archdiocese, contact Deacon Jim Smith at smithjd9@swbell.net.
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.