Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

The Detention Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is a faith-filled community of hope whose vision is to witness and offer by their presence and activities God’s unconditional love, compassionate forgiveness and healing justice to those affected by the criminal justice system. When the Detention Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles began, it was mostly staffed by sisters, brothers and priests. They had received training in the many facets of the ministry, from pastoral counselors to victims’ advocates, Bible Study and discussion leaders to fundraisers, administrators to culturally sensitive specialists knowledgeable about alcohol and drug addiction. Most of today’s chaplains are lay people who had initially volunteered in the program, experienced a call from God, and are now ministering full time. The Office has expanded its services to include ministry to victims, families of the incarcerated, and inmates who have recently been released.

When Javier Stauring began his volunteer work at Juvenile Hall he, like many other new volunteers, hoped that he could help some kid change his or her life around. What he did not expect was for those very kids to change his life in a most profound way. At Central Juvenile Hall Chaplain Javier sees “the face of Jesus in children that I minister to”. He not only ministers to incarcerated youth, but he also serves as a source of support to their families as they go through feelings of loss, helplessness and despair.

Chaplain Javier believes in the principles of Restorative Justice, which call for reconciliation, and healing of victims, offenders and communities. As part of his advocacy work, Chaplain Javier works with interfaith coalitions as well as local and national advocates to bring change to the punitive and many times unjust treatment of our children who have been marginalized by the system.

Since 1995, the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation has assisted this ministry with funds for continuing education for the Detention Ministry Chaplains. In 2001, the Foundation helped fund the production and distribution of materials for the Criminal and Gang Members Anonymous program. This recovery program, established at the Mule Creek State Prison in 1996, is based on the 12 step principles of recovery, and offers inmates seeking to change the support and knowledge necessary to redirect their lives. The objective is to dissociate inmates from criminal and gang involvement while incarcerated, so that they can reenter society as productive citizens. The materials are designed to introduce the program to inmates and to equip chaplains, educators and correctional staff with the tools to establish recovery groups at their facilities.