RASTAFARI IN THE PRISON CONTEXT

NATIONAL RASTAFARI CHAPLAINCY

Matthew 25
³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: ³⁶ naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

What is Happening

In July 2012, after years of campaigning by different Rastafari groups and individuals in the UK,  Rastafari was recognized as a Faith by the UK Prison Service. This means that Rastafari prisoners are entitled to carry out their Faith in prison just like prisoners of other  Faiths.

Rastafari Heritage who had been working with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for 5 years to bring about this change was appointed as the Rastafari Faith Advisers to the MOJ and to all prisons in England and Wales.

Rastafari Heritage works includes:

Advising Chaplaincy HQ

Advising Prison Governors

Training Lead Chaplains

Support Prison Chaplaincy Teams

Advising Equalities

Advising Diversity

Advising Catering

Advising Security

Advising General Prison Staff

Support Rastafari Prisoners

Lead Rastafari Groundation/Worship as Chaplains

Source Rastafari to work as sessional Chaplains

Advising & support Rastafarian Chaplains

Supply Groundation kit to prisons

Support the introduction of Rastafari Groundation in prison

Official point of contact for Rastafari faith and social issues in UK prisons

Creating strategies to tackle re-offending

Rastafari in the Prison Context and Rastafari Chaplains

The Rastafari Groundation Corporate Worship in Prisons is designed to reinforce the common elements that are shared by all Rastafarians. It does not seek to create a new mansion within the Rastafari family, but rather to remind us all of the value of our heritage.

The work to advance Rastafari is our generation’s responsibility. We must make significant progress in all areas necessary before we pass on the baton to the next generation. This work goes beyond allegiance to groups, mansions and organisations.  It is about providing a service for Rastafarian prisoners and to create a framework that promotes Rastafari in a righteous and purposeful manner.

"Organise and Centralise" is a Rastafari watchword, and this work will need Rastaman and Rastawoman from across the UK to put our watchword into practice. Our faith teaches about selfless service for the benefit of others.  This is our opportunity to create a tangible testimony to our faith as we carry Rastafari's Royal Priesthood to a new level.

The light of Rastafari has been seen by a growing number of black youths who are currently in UK prisons. As elder Rastafarians InI have a duty of care to address the needs of members of the faith without judging them.

Who has the Heart of a Lion?

Only Rastafari people can do Rastafari work, so who will do Rastafari work?

Who will enter into the dungeon to bring Light where there is darkness, bring Hope where there is despair, to bring Life where there is death?

This is InI Question ... What is InI Answer?

This work, developing a Rastafari Chaplaincy in the Prison Service - did not require a lengthy roundtable discussion or consultation involving all Rastafari mansions and non-aligned members to carry the work forward.  This work does not promote one particular aspect, or viewpoint, of Rastafari over another, but rather puts forward a generic framework which will (Jah willing) be acceptable to all Rastafari prisoners.

The point for collective involvement to glorify Rastafari is in the way all Rastafarians can be involved in delivering the Rastafari faith in prison. Mystically all fingers of the hand can become a fist for positive development without interfering with each persons individual constitution. Religion is personal, work is for the benefit of us all. 

Groundation Guidance Book

Rastafari Heritage has created a Groundation guidance book containing some traditional Rastafari prayers, chants, reasonings and advice.  To complement  the book a double CD  of Rastafari  drumming and chants has been produced.  This is to assist in the learning of the drumming and chants for those who might not be familiar  with them. This is so that eventually all Rastafari prisoners can fullticipate (participate) in the Groundation sessions.

Resource Pack

The resource pack has been created to inform the reader about the Rastafari Movement.  It gives an overview of the wide historical and cultural events that have helped to shape the movement. It covers the key concepts and principles of the faith and backs this up with quotes on all the relevant topics.  A set of questions is at the end of each section for further reasoning or study.