Ongoing ministries toward staff amidst stress

Outside a prison in Pendleton, OR.

In light of the recent killing of Officer Jayme Biendl at the Monroe Corrections Center, how can those of us who serve in jail and prisons impact the sites where we serve for the Kingdom of God?  I am thinking here about support staff, officers, and administrative personnel.

Isolating on one incident in Monroe overlooks a much broader perspective and deeper need.

Keep in mind,  each level of incarceration--city, county, state, and federal-- maintains separate administrative oversight.  Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries and other jail and prison ministry groups serve in all levels of incarceration.

 We must not grow discouraged but redouble our heart faithfulness and continue to pray. Occasionally, we are privileged to listen and even pray with staff.  We know our daily presence and consistent, ongoing service has great impact.

Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center

In mid-January, a detention officer at the Kent Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center where I serve was hospitalized after an inmate assaulted him in a common area in the jail's administrative-segregation unit.

The officer suffered very serious injuries and a second officer, who jumped in to help restrain the inmate, was also injured badly enough to be sent to the hospital. Two others received minor injuries while moving the inmate inside the Kent facility.

After this event, I made myself available for prayer and whatever other support the administrative staff might need.  While there was no response at the time, the gesture was important.  Fellow PFC Chaplain Dick Rothlisberger and I shared with a number of officers over the past years.

Here are some statistics dated 2007, US Government Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics, 31st Edition, US Department of Justice, Washington DC--

Assaults on Corrections Officers

33,000 inmate on staff assaults per year
90 assaults per day, 3.7 per hour

2.7 staff assaults per 100 inmates – county
1.4 staff assaults per 100 inmates – state
0.9 staff assaults per 100 inmates – federal

A Correctional Officer will be seriously assaulted at least twice in a 20 year career.