The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Structure presented its Report #20 on Resolution D021 (Comprehensive Prison Ministry Program) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D021)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 75th General Convention re-activate the Task Force on Reform of the Criminal Justice System mandated by the 1985 General Convention (C043) as a joint committee of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies, with staff support under the direction of the Director of Prison Ministries, recognizing the unique character of the pastoral and program needs of this mission area with an expanded mandate, and that any residual, appropriate and unresolved issues resulting from the actions of subsequent Conventions, viz. D062 (1988), D056 (1991), D087 (1994), D035 (1994), and A125(2003) be handled by this Committee. The expanded mandate of the Committee will include implementation and oversight of the following:

Development and provision of information, networking resources, funding, recruitment, training, support, and encouragement by parishes and diocesan means for prison ministers at the Federal, State, County, and local levels.

Liaison and interaction with government agencies, organizations involved with the Justice system, Federal and State representatives on the one hand, and Bishops, appropriate diocesan sources and organized prison ministries already in place, on the other.

Development and provision of information and workable programs for parishes to engage in prison ministries of worship and fellowship within prisons at the Federal, State, County, and local levels.

Development of Episcopal congregations inside of prisons at the Federal and State levels.

Development and provision of information and programs for dioceses, parishes, and prison ministers to minister to the families of incarcerated people.

Provision of theological education for residents of prisons at the Federal and State levels.

Provision of proclamation, advocacy, leadership, and materials for the advancement, awareness, and implementation of effective prison ministry throughout The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention request and require that each diocese of The Episcopal Church include in Diocesan Cycles of Prayer intercession for prison ministries, and for all incarcerated persons and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Director of Prison Ministries be placed under the direction of the Office of Congregational Development; and be it further

Resolved, That the new committee shall be named the Committee on Prison Ministry, and the General Convention request that the Joint Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation in the amount of $175,000 for the triennium for the work of this committee.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Criminal Justice Committee of the Standing Commission on National Concerns be charged with reviewing the actions of the General Convention regarding Prison Ministry, including but not being limited to, C043 (1985), D062 (1988), D056 (1991), D087 (1994), D035 (1994), and A125 (2003); and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, charge this committee:

to explore ways to provide information and workable programs for parishes, dioceses, and provinces, to engage in prison ministries of worship and fellowship within prisons at the Federal, State, County, and local levels;

to explore ways to encourage Episcopal congregations inside prisons at the Federal and State levels;

to explore ways to provide information and programs for dioceses, parishes, and prison ministers to minister to the families of incarcerated persons;

to explore ways to provide theological education for residents of prisons at the Federal and State levels; and be it further

Resolved, That the Criminal Justice Committee report on their work to the 76th General Convention, through the Standing Commission on National Concerns; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention request each diocese of The Episcopal Church include in Diocesan Cycles of Prayer intercession for prison ministries, and for all incarcerated persons and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance, to consider budget allocation of $50,000 to the Standing Commission on National Concerns, for the implementation of this resolution.

Deputy Snow of Alaska moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “the Criminal Justice Committee of.” In the third resolve clause, delete the words “Criminal Justice Committee” replace with the words “Standing Committee on National Concerns.” Delete the words "through the Standing Commission on National Concerns."

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Hearing no objection, the Vice-Chair offered to defer debate of Resolution D021 until the text could be perfected.

Resolution withdrawn