V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

140 | Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry II. Social and Religious Context in Hispanic Ministry • There are currently many detained immigrants who have not committed any criminal offense, as well as unaccompanied minors who need support and advocacy from the faith community. We should not abandon them. • There is a general lack of understanding of the laws in the United States and of the criminal justice system within much of the Hispanic/Latino community. • Hispanics continue to maintain communication with those who have been incarcerated or detained regardless of their own immigrant status. • There is a need for more training of leaders to visit and accompany those in jail/prison. • Many Hispanics are detained for reasons related to their immigration status, not necessarily for criminal behavior. • Undocumented families are unable to visit the incarcerated and detained. • The detained are afraid of being abandoned and left to die without accompaniment of the Church. • There is a need for re-entry programs to assist with integration back into society once released. • Those detained in jails and prisons express a great need for presence and accompaniment, whether from religious, priests, or laity. • There is a need for legal aid to provide good representation and education about legal rights. • There are growing numbers of prisons, jails, and detention centers, as well as increasing numbers of Hispanics in them, and the human and financial resources to accompany them effectively are currently lacking. III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • Educate all Catholics on the issues and needs of the incarcerated and detained through a restorative justice lens and provide financial support for ministry, resources, and programs. • Provide formation and ongoing support for prison ministry pastoral leaders and volunteers, as well as access for the incarcerated to the sacraments, services, and resources. • Provide pastoral care and accompaniment to the families and loved ones of the incarcerated—adults and children. IV. Successful and Exemplary Practices • “Get on the Bus” program which offers free transportation to the prison for the inmates’ children and their caregivers. • Visitation ministry to jails and prisons that provides sacramental preparation, family support, advocacy, reentry support, and resources. • Offer training programs for volunteers that equip them with tools to deal with trauma and conflict, strengthen their spirituality, and help them understand the differences between jails, prisons, and detention. • Support advocacy campaigns to change laws or unfair policies. • Foster support groups for families of the incarcerated and their loved ones where they can come together and accompany one another. • Organize retreats for the incarcerated, i.e. Cursillo. Ministerial Area Sessions