Editorial note : A good number of Pagan prison inmates,
most of them from gaols in the USA, reguarly write to The Druid Network
office. I found the same when I worked for The British Druid Order, and
understand The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids also receives much mail.
Bobcat /|\
by Kevin Emmons
A few years ago I received a request forwarded to me from
Bobcat asking that if I would be willing to write a prison chaplain in Florida
regarding a prisoner who was a Druid and was having a difficult time being
able to practice his faith within the prison system. The rules at the prison
were very strange as the official understanding of paganism was given to
them by an organization called “The Church and School of Wicca”.
Since the word “Church” was used, this organization’s
methods were considered gospel for all pagans in the prison. If you weren’t
Wiccan, you were not allowed to practice your pagan faith. No “mixed
groups” were allowed. This prisoner, Chris Gallagher, was having his
Constitutional Rights to worship stepped on because the system wasn’t
going to listen to anyone that wasn’t an authority on Druidry or Paganism.
He was incredibly frustrated and was asking for help.
I took the opportunity to write the chaplain and explain
about Druidry, how we have no central organization that controls a set doctrine.
I also explained that “The Church of Wicca” spoke for no one
outside of their own members. My letter was written using a common language
that drew on my Christian background. I spoke about how, although we share
some things in common with Wicca, there are many pagan traditions, much
the same as there are many Christian denominations, and that Druidry was
unique. I spoke about how Chris, facing the incredible challenge of prison
life, needed to have his spiritual needs met, and that the prison should
support his need to find connection with the Divine. I encouraged the prison
to allow Chris to celebrate the holy days on the more common days of the
solar cycle, to allow him an altar cloth and a few other items he was requesting.
I never received a response from the prison. This situation is typical
I also took the opportunity to write Chris and let him
know that his request for help was being met and that I had written the
prison chaplain and enclosed a copy of that letter. To give you the short
version of story, rather than change their way of doing things, Chris was
moved shortly afterwards, to a new prison in Florida which was much more
supportive of pagans. The pagans there have their own garden and temple
area. It was the first time Chris has seen grass or touched a tree in many
many years. Think of that.
Imagine as a Druid being completely shut off from Nature,
the source of our faith and inspiration. This is the situation for our brothers
and sisters in prison and the reason I am writing to encourage you to join
in letter writing to prisoners. Yes, they are in prison for a reason but
the reality of prison is to be removed from the natural world and sent to
a world of concrete and steel bars. This is incredibly harsh and some may
never leave that world. Sharing a letter and information can be a profoundly
healing thing helping them to cope with the harsh reality of their environment.
The response I received from Chris was one of profound
gratitude. My 30 minutes of writing help to make a huge difference in his
life. It was empowering to me to receive his letter and thanks. Since then
we have become friends. I try to feed his need for connection to spirit
and nature with my stories and occasional photos attached to my letters.
I also pass along information on Druidry. He shares with me his incredible
knot-work drawings and his stories as well.
I have since written many pagans in prison who are dealing
with similar situations. I write specifically to pagan prisoners as prisoners
that practice mainstream religious traditions already have huge support
networks in the prison systems. Pagans do not.
Sometimes we make no headway with the prison system but
always I receive thanks and gratitude for my efforts. It is so incredibly
important for their psyche and wellbeing to feel a connection with the outside
world. It gives them hope in the face of hopelessness. All that it takes
is a letter and sharing honestly. No one I have written to has any expectation
that I am going to get deeply intimate with them or their case. They just
really appreciate the help with explaining Druidry and paganism to the prison
systems and with sharing information about our faith with them personally.
Some are just looking for teachers and information about Druidry; some simply
want a penpal where they have none.
Time-wise this work is relatively easy yet very rewarding.
Emotionally and spiritually it can be a challenge to hear the stories of
these people. This, though, goes right to the foundation of my Druid faith,
listening in honesty and truth to the stories, engaging in sacred relationship
with the world even when those stories are pain-filled. The sharing of the
story helps to heal. Awen can be found even in the midst of the most sad
and difficult situations if we relate in honesty spirit to spirit.
Some of the people I write are not interested in the actuality
of Druidry. They are looking for personal power and “magick”.
The need for “power” and the need to use it comes through in
their letters. The reality of prison is apparent. The violence is singing
in their story and attitudes. I don’t offer anything that can be used
to gain power-over. Some are clearly looking for an Order to give them a
title and satisfy their need for a sense of control in the face of having
none. I can’t help these people and am clear about that. Sometimes
the healing that natural Druidry offers is too far from their grasp. We
can always choose not to correspond with people who are not willing to engage
honestly or make us overly uncomfortable. Honesty has to be the basis for
these relationships. We are not obligated to engage if this isn’t
the case.
Rather than support their quest for magical answers to
their situation, I encourage them to face themselves and observe the emotional
blockages, to find the places where they can move and start to change the
habits, beliefs, and attitudes that have misdirected them in life. I don’t
preach or offer “answers”. That is way beyond me. They have
to do the work themselves. I am not a counselor or a lawyer and I have no
real knowledge of the world they live in. I simply encourage them to enter
into honest relationship with themselves and the world around them, to seek
awen. I encourage them to live their Druidry.
It is my hope that they can find their center and reach
for awen, and in this way, improve their lives. It is the best I can offer
and hope for. No matter what, the willingness to share and make contact
is in itself an act of healing and empowerment.
At the very least we need to get involved when human rights
are being deprived. At his request, I sent copies of the Florida State and
US Constitution to Chris to help him prepare for legal battles. Although
inmates may have lost their freedom, they haven’t lost their human
rights. I don’t side with them nor am I their advocate. I simply try
to help the system and inmate find common ground and improve their relationship.
Letter writing and mailing information is easy and that is all that is being
asked.
I want to encourage you all to get involved with working
with fellow pagans and druids who are in prison. You can make a huge difference
in someone’s life while practicing your faith with honesty and integrity.
Hopefully you will find it as rewarding as I have.
by Kevin Emmons
nea [at] druidnetwork [dot] org
September 2005
If you are interested in writing to Pagans in Prisons, contact Kevin or the Network office on
bobcat [at] druidnetwork [dot] org.
