They're behind bars for good reasons and if you ask me, if it gets to that point, they should have to forfeit their so called 'rights and privileges' - at least those that will cost we the taxpayers added money.
Last week Canada's Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, cancelled a Corrections Canada tender for a priest to nurture the spiritual needs of "witches" in prison. A good move I'd say. Prior to the cancellation a federal prison agency in BC had put out a request for a proposal for a Wiccan chaplain who would provide about 17 hours of service a month. The added touch to the prison would translate into a $25,000 to $50,000 annual price tag for Canadian taxpayers. Not that large of an amount in the grande scheme of things, but is it really necessary?
As Canadian citizens, people absolutely have the right to choose whatever religion and belief system they like, but as far as I'm concerned, you and I shouldn't have to foot the bill for their specialty services. These people got themselves behind bars by their own actions so maybe this is the time for them to reflect within.
If the Wiccan advocates are so convinced of the benefits and necessity of these services, then maybe they should do their part to muster up a dedicated volunteer or two to visit the inmates.
Apparently a fair amount is also spent on other religious services. According to the Corrections Canada tender that's specific to B.C., Roman Catholic chaplaincy services average five hours per week. Both Muslim and Sikh chaplaincy averages 57.83 hours per month, while Buddist chaplaincy averages 45 hours. Jewish chaplaincy averages 17.5 hours per month, while a designation called Community Chaplaincy averages 30 hours. Obviously taxpayer dollars are entering the picture to make this happen. It's not that I'm anti-religion or that I believe there are no benefits, but were do we draw the line?
People are spiritual beings and really, that comes from within no matter what your setting or surroundings. Will drawing a pentacle on your cell floor and chanting with a wiccan priest change your ways? Maybe, but my bet is you have to want to change yourself and consciously make the effort to cause it to happen.
If the representatives of these organizations truly want to help "their people" then a government pay cheque shouldn't be their sole motivation to do so.
