HONG KONG (KKP/SE) Deacon Paul Wat Ho-keung, who took over the position of Deacon Edwin Ng Wing-hung as the prison chaplain in the Correctional Services Department Headquarters last October said he will work to encourage more consecrated people and volunteers to participate in prison visits, emphasising the pressing need for spiritual care among inmates who yearn for hope and guidance.
Deacon Wat said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the aging of chaplains, there is a shortage of manpower. The deacon has filed an application to the Correctional Services Department to allow three more priests and seven more deacons to serve in prisons, but he believes the approval takes time as the department takes a detailed look into the backgrounds of the applicants.
The chaplaincy services the Correctional Services Department were initially carried out by priests and this role has recently been taken up by permanent deacons.
Deacon Wat also encourages lay people to take part in prison visitation. “Words cannot express how meaningful the visitations are, come to experience,” he urged.
The permanent deacon, ordained in 2023, was a social worker and later became a probation officer 10 years before he retired. He was once frustrated by the human weeknesses of the released offenders as they committed offenses again.
“Rehabilitation is a process of rebuilding trust and requires immense patience. The need to tell lies to cover up has showed a problem in their lives that needed to be addressed,” Deacon Wat said.
He shared that he found renewed determination through mentorship from a Christian superior, believing that probation of former offenders involves a long period of time.
However, he said he still has a lot to learn about prison life despite his experiences in probation work which only focuses on helping offenders find meaning in life and reintegrate into society, with more task-oriented meetings but less deep interactions.
On the other hand, he believes the role of prison chaplains is vital in providing religious guidance and spiritual comfort to inmates, and they need to have the empathy to build up relationships rather than solely focusing on helping others change.
Deacon Wat said he could feel the profound hope for peace and eternal life expressed by inmates as they lined up to talk to a deacon or a priest visiting them in prison, while some assigned to nearby workshops also pay close attention to the queue as they also want a chat. He said he is moved by the inmates’ eagerness to meet with chaplains and could feel the urgent need for pastoral care within prisons.
He shared that most who come to talk to chaplains are Christians, while the non-believers are also happy to receive their blessings.
“In prisons, the hearts eager for spiritual comfort can easily be seen,” he said.
The diocese has identified eight special areas of concern in the Jubilee year, with prison inmates and people in recovery being one focus. Other areas include care for the elderly, children and families, young people, healthcare workers and patients, the environment, immigrants and refugees, and the poor.
Former chaplain, Deacon Ng, also reflected on his 15 years of work, and said the challenge lies in balancing religious service with the rules of correctional facilities. He said he has gained deeper insight into humanity by visiting various prisons and has observed the Church’s increasing efforts to support inmates through initiatives like the Light Up Fundraising Programme that assists young prisoners in education and reintegration.
Deacon Ng said he remains committed to prison visits as part of Christ’s call to care for the marginalised and has been involved in teaching a diploma course at the Holy Spirit Seminary College to foster care and support for prisoners within the community.
