Persephone's Hands is an ongoing support service for Wiccans, Pagans,
and Heathens who are currently incarcerated. Our prison ministry's current area of
service is the Indiana Department of Corrections. Our main goal is to provide
support in guaranteeing that their First Amendment right to worship is observed.
One focus of service is providing clergy and instructional support
staff to bring the Sabbats and classes on Wicca to Indiana Wiccan and Pagan inmates.
Another way that we help is by sending "We Care" packages of Wiccan,
Pagan, and Heathen books, and religious items for personal worship. (as per the guidelines
of the Indiana D.O.C. Religious Handbook)
The Persephone's Hands Prison Ministry would like to announce that as of November 29, 2007,
the Indiana Dept of Corrections, per Executive Directive #07-71, has approved the pentagram/pentacle
as a "medallion to be worn or carried".
The Wiccan Interfaith Council International has been working closely with the Indiana
D.O.C. Religious Services and Community Involvement Board Director to make this a standard requirement
for Indiana Wiccan inmates.
According to Director Hall, the Wiccan Interfaith Council International's efforts
did "contribute to the decision".
We're very proud and happy that we can, *officially* share this small victory, as a
moment to celebrate - not for ourselves, but for ALL WICCAN PRACTITIONERS EVERYWHERE...)O(
The Wiccan Interfaith Council International doesn't view the experience of incarceration as a living death - however, to many people who are serving out the consequences of their previous actions behind bars - it probably does seem that way.
It is not our job to judge what someone has done, but what that person is doing now. This extends to a person's faith, and we feel that everyone has the right to their freedom of religious and spiritual expression.
Please contact the Council:
Copyright, 2006 - 2008 * Wiccan Interfaith Council International.
Incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit religious, educational, and charitable organization,
on November 1, 2007, and in the state of Indiana, USA.
Intent to publish, post, edit, or copy any information from the
Wiccan Interfaith Council International in ANY format - website, egroup,
printed forms, emails - is strictly forbidden.
Any attempt to forward and/or use (by any group, organization, or individual)
is considered misleading and unethical, and is not condoned by the Wiccan Interfaith Council.
Permission must be obtained in writing from the WICI Council Board of Elders.
