Prison Ministry

The Chaplaincy Office at the State Institutions provides Catholic chaplaincy services for residents of the Adult Correctional Institutions, the Rhode Island Training School, Wyatt Detention Center, and Eleanor Slater Hospital. A team of priests, deacons, lay chaplains, and volunteers offer weekly Mass and communion services, hear confessions, administer the sacraments for residents and patients of these facilities, and assist in maintaining the presence of the Catholic Church in these state institutions for residents, families, and staff.

We seek to minister to the whole person, understanding that we are all God's children - valued, special, and worthwhile - and therefore should treat ourselves and each other with respect and dignity.

For whom is this program appropriate?
Inmates and patients of the above-named facilities, their families, and staff.

Is this program available in multiple languages?
Yes: English and Spanish,.

Contact:
Catholic Chaplaincy Services at State Institutions
ACI - DIX Building
Wilma Slesger Road (2nd floor) Cranston, RI 02920
ACI Phone: 401/462-5238
Catholic Chaplaincy Coordinator, RI Department of Corrections Martha Paone
Diocesan Office: 401/421-7833

Pastoral Care
Our role is to provide spiritual support to all inmates through religious services, bible study, prayer groups, and one-on-one pastoral counseling. Additionally, when there is a loss to the loved one of an inmate, we ensure that the notification is delivered in a timely and pastoral manner. We also provide grief counseling to inmates that are having a difficult time with their loss. Sometimes it is simply a ministry of presence.

Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI):
• High Security & Spanish Services (all buildings): Maria Garombo
• Intake Service Center: Martha Paone
• Maximum Security: Martha Paone
• Medium 1 (Moran) Security: Fr. Neil Lynch and Fr. Clyde Walsh
• Medium 2 (Price) Security: Fr. Jose Camillo Cardenas
• Minimum Security: Fr. Jose Camillo Cardenas
• Women’s Prison/ Wyatt Federal Detention Center: Margaret Fisette

RI Training School: 

Wyatt Federal Detention Center: Monsignor Paul D. Theroux and Fr. Paul Laporte

Help Wanted
We need volunteers - if you would like to assist at religious services inside the prison (inmate contact) or If you have good organizational skills and would like to provide light clerical support to the Chaplaincy Office (no inmate contact).

Volunteers not only assist inmates in meeting social and spiritual needs, but may also serve as advocates after their release.

Volunteers are trained, supervised and supported in their ministry by the members of the Catholic Chaplaincy Team listed above.

What can you do as a volunteer?
• Become a Eucharistic Minister
• Lead in singing or choir
• Monitor legislation regarding issues related to inmates
• Donate bibles, greeting & holiday cards
• Become a mentor
• Help with finding jobs for those who are to be released
• Doing office work ~ e.g. typing a newsletter or help with mailings
• Participate in letter exchange

Interested? Contact the Catholic Chaplaincy Office for more information.