Prisons and Presbyterians

As a hospital chaplain in Kingston where there are no fewer than seven federal prisons, I read with interest that the Presbyterian Church recently signed a revised agreement with Correctional Services to ensure the provision of spiritual care to this needy population in our midst (May Record). It's too bad this gesture does not extend to supporting our clergy in applying to vacant positions for chaplains within these institutions. Currently, Kingston penitentiary has an urgent need for a protestant chaplain. The PCC does not encourage individual presbyteries to enter into contractual agreements with Correctional Services on behalf of a chaplain, thus preventing clergy from applying. We have a mission field on our own doorstep and no one to fill the need, because the church doesn't want to become involved in third-party contracts.