Over 45 Years of History

In the early 1970’s the prison system across the country was badly in need of reform. On September 9, 1971, 1000 inmates took over a section of Attica Prison, in Western New York. Among their 27 demands were better medical treatment, fair visitation rights, improved sanitation, an end to physical brutality, and a meeting with NY Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. The governor refused, and three days later gave the order to retake the prison. Using tear gas and rifles, the ensuing massacre killed 29 inmates, 9 hostages, 4 corrections officers, and seriously injured 89 others. This tragedy heralded the pressing need for prison reform. Out of this, Jail Ministry was born.

In 1974, Bill Cuddy was finishing an assignment at Colgate University as Chaplain of the Newman Community. Due to his interest in prison reform, he petitioned to be reassigned to chaplain in the Onondaga County Jail. From a diocesan office in downtown Syracuse, Bill convened a group to discuss some form of ministry to inmates in the Onondaga County Jail. Inspired by the vision of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movements, they began to seek a way to carry out this mission.

When Sheriff Patrick Corbett gave his stamp of approval for visitor/advocates to go into the jail, this put their goals into action. That same year, the Junior League of Onondaga Country gifted a house to Jail Ministry at 208 Slocum Ave. This put Jail Ministry in the near westside neighborhood where many relationships were built over the years. Bill recalled that the house was affectionately known as the “Jail Ministry House” by the neighbors.

Bill relates the first entry into the jail. “In December 1976, the first visits inside the jail began. We were offered the privileged position to go to the head of the line to sign in. The lawyers also have that privilege and we heard several people who were waiting say “Put me in your briefcase!” We decided to decline the preferential treatment and wait in line with the families and friend of the inmates. This is where we learned so much about the struggles of the families with loved ones in jail. We became Jail Ministry in the community before we became Jail Ministry in the jail. Talking with family and friends of the inmates, we learned about their needs. A pattern evolved, visiting inmates at the jail but also calling lawyers to find out about bail, attending trails, meeting with released inmates struggling to find food and a home, learning about transportation needs, and hearing about conditions inside the jail.”

One of the challenges faced by the inmates’ families was that they had no means of transportation to visit their loved one after they were transferred to a state facility. Jail Ministry workers put out word to that community that they were looking for people with licenses who could drive buses. Over the years, 9 people volunteered to drive for long day trips to places like Attica, Albion, and Elmira Correctional Facilities.

Another early challenge taken on by the group was bail. Bill recalls “A young senior from a local high school was charged with robbery and had been in the jail for a number of weeks. His foster parents were willing to welcome him back home, but did not have bond money. We went through a local bondsman posting a $1500 bond. We also talked to his teachers who said he was a good student and on a track to graduate. He went on to finish high school and leave the area with his degree in his pocket. This was the start of the Jail Ministry Jubilee Bail Fund that has continued for 45 years.”

Other initiatives by Jail Ministry over the years include a bread baking program, holiday and Easter baskets, protesting against the death penalty, fighting against overcrowding in the Onondaga County Jail which resulted in a newly built and named Justice Center, the creation of a Play Space to keep inmates’ children occupied during visits from their loved ones, protests against the brutal “shackling practice” in the Justice Center, and Jail Ministry becoming an official part of the referral system inside the Justice Center.

You can read all about the fascinating history of Jail Ministry in “Breaking Into Jail: The Story of Jail Ministry”.