A Pagan and Rastafarian chaplain are being sought to look after the spiritual welfare of inmates (Picture: Getty, file image)
Prison chaplains reflecting the changing nature of religion in Britain are being sought by a privately run jail.
Roles for a Pagan and a Rastafarian advisor are being offered at HMP Rye Hill near Rugby in Warwickshire.
The part-time vacancies at the Category B prison, which holds around 664 sentenced men, are based on an hourly rate of £17.39.
The successful Pagan candidate will have proven membership of a grove, coven or group and be ‘theologically competent’ in the ancestral religion’s traditions, according to the advert.
The minister will join a ‘forward-thinking, multi-faith team’ and deliver study and religious programmes once a week as part of their responsibilities.
One of the role’s main characteristics is to provide ‘advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners and staff’.
A formal endorsement from HM Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) Pagan Federation Faith Advisor is part of the eligibility requirements listed by G4S, which manages the prison.
Items assembled for the Pagan holiday of Imbolc, which has been celebrated for centuries (Picture: Getty/iStockphoto)
The Federation’s own guidance says chaplains should be ‘extraordinary people’ able to act as role models for inmates who ‘in all likelihood have never been part of a community, let alone a Pagan one’.
The advert reflects the religion’s growth from 57,000 people in 2011 to 74,000 in 2021, according to the latest census for England and Wales.
The true number may be higher, as 13,000 people described themselves as Wicca and 8,000 as Shaman, which are considered branches of Paganism.
In November, Metro.co.uk told how Shamanism was on the rise, from just 650 people at the last count.
Based on the growing numbers, the federation has said that ‘there will be more need than ever for chaplains who can provide this service to those in need’ across the prison estate.
Paganism is broadly defined as an ancient, nature-worshipping religion that takes diverse forms, with Druids, Wiccans, Shamans and Heathens making up parts of the community.
Stonehenge is a focal point for pagan worship (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP)
The Rastafarian chaplain is also required to deliver sessions once a week as part of the team. The ideal candidate should have a ‘high tolerance and flexibility when working with the various members of the Rastafari family’, according to the advert.
A general understanding of ‘Rastafarian Mansions/Houses’ and the endorsement of the HMPPS faith advisor for the religion is also part of the eligibility criteria. Both of the roles are based on a commitment to four hours per week at the same rate.
Prisoners in England and Wales are being offered spiritual welfare from multi-faith teams (Picture: File image by Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images)
According to the latest census, there were 6,000 Rastafarians in England and Wales — a decrease on the 7,906 followers in 2011. However the number of believers had increased from 5,000 in 2001.
The Africa-centered religion is based on a belief that Emporer Haile Selassie I, who was crowned the King of Ethiopia in 1930, is God.
The roles are in common with the provision of regular access to chaplains from recognised faith and beliefs across the national prison estate.
A spokesperson for HMP Rye Hill said: ‘Every prison has chaplains to provide faith and belief services which can steer offenders away from crime.’
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The ministers will be required to administer to the spiritual needs of inmates and staff at HMP Rye Hill.
