The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #20 on Resolution A077 (Model Prisoner Ministry) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(A077)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention commit to the Biblical call to "proclaim release to the captives" and to set the prisoners free," and be it further

Resolved, That justice must be done for victims and offenders alike; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church is firmly committed to a system of justice that seeks to provide prisoners with assistance both before and after their release, including alternatives to prison where appropriate, and programs in prison offering offenders the chance to learn job skills and complete education; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church seek to address the concern of prisons built in remote areas resulting in further separation of families thus making the situation for juvenile offenders particularly difficult; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church develops a social statement on prison reform and The Death Penalty; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church commit the sum of $100,000 to develop and implement a model program based on the above resolve in this Resolution, in partnership with interested others, at an appropriate penal facility in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church recognize and express its gratitude to the many ministries of the church, including those of prison chaplains, volunteers, parishes and dioceses that work to support prisoners and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $100,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention commit to the Biblical call to "proclaim release to the captives" and to set the prisoners free," Baptismal vow to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being; and be it further

Resolved, That justice must be done for victims and offenders alike; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church is firmly committed to a system of justice that seeks to provide prisoners with assistance both before and after their release, including alternatives to prison where appropriate, and programs in prison offering offenders the chance to learn job skills and complete education; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church seek to address the concern of prisons built in remote areas resulting in further separation of families thus making the situation for juvenile offenders particularly difficult prison culture in our society today; and be it further

Resolved, that The Episcopal Church develops a social statement on prison reformand The Death Penalty; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church commits the sum of $100,000 to develop and implement a model program based on the above resolve in this Resolution, in partnership with interested others, at an appropriate penal facility in the United States funds to develop and implement a model program in partnership with the Office of Black Ministries and the program officer of Social and Economic Justice; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church recognize and express its gratitude to the many ministries of the church, including those of prison chaplains, volunteers, parishes and dioceses that work to support prisoners and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $100,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #98)