Prison advertising for a pagan for role in prisons

A part-time PAGAN is being sought to lead religious rituals - in PRISONS.

The £29k position is being advertised for a pagan to offer Rites of Passage services in HMP Dartmoor, Channings Wood and Exeter in Devon.

The successful candidate will also be required to offer religious advice and support to pagan prisoners and Prison Service staff.

Paganism encompasses a diverse community including specific traditions, practices s such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods.

Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community.

But Paganism is one of Britain's fastest-growing religious sectors, and prisoners have their right to practise their religions while behind bars enshrined in law.

Gotta have faith

"This is a chaplaincy job in an establishment which provides pastoral and faith specific care to prisoners and staff," the job description reads.

"The job holder will provide for the religious care of prisoners and staff in the Pagan faith tradition and appropriate pastoral care for all irrespective of faith or tradition.

"The job holder will work with colleagues to ensure the delivery of the specification

"Faith and Pastoral Care", and also the broader work of chaplaincy in delivering faith and non faith based courses.

''Will contribute to the process by which the Governor and Head of Chaplaincy/Profession at HQ are assured that the specification is being delivered.

"The job holder will engage with, and build contacts with their own faith community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders.

"This is a non-operational job with no line management or supervisory responsibilities."

Responsible post

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

*Act as faith advisor in the establishment providing advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested

*Facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship study and religious programmes

*Contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures and practice

*Provide mentoring and personal support for other chaplains and volunteers including following incidents