The question of religion and spirituality in prisons is a rather underpublicized debate. 'A Rainbow Vision' is a true story of ordinary people, of a prison, its chaplains and their ground breaking journey of faith. It is an inspiring account of the radical shift in the national prison chaplaincy from being Christian led and directed to becoming MultiFaith inspired and coordinated. In particular, it tells of how the MultiFaith Chaplaincy Team at HMP Canterbury encapsulated this new venture in a vision of hope whose impact they believed could change the world. In this personal account of the role of Chaplains in British prisons, the author reveals how MultiFaith Chaplaincy can enhance the lives of prisoners of all faiths and none without, at all, compromising the integrity of any individual. When HMP Canterbury became the first fully Foreign National gaol, the completely different population led to a fresh approach from the Chaplains. They walked the Wings together, ate together and laughed together. No faith was compromised because, at the heart of their vision, was mutual respect. The symbol of a rainbow in the dedication service lent itself beautifully to this ethos. Every colour is vibrant, distinct and special. Each is marvellous in its own right. When the hues arc together, they become interdependent and even more glorious. No colour loses its uniqueness. Yet, all have gained when they gently connect. Rev Cathy Hitchens combines a tale of her own inspiration and personal growth alongside that of the MultiFaith Chaplaincy in which she ministered. She came from a liturgical church background that focussed on the spirit and the church into a Chaplaincy that gave prisoners a Christian education whilst paying lip service to the spiritual health and needs of those from other faith backgrounds. Following the protests of William Noblett at the lack of parity in prison Chaplaincy, the book celebrates the good work that has been done in moving away from a sincere but unjust Chaplaincy to one that embraces and values the differences without fear or favour. Personal note from the author: 'MultiFaith Chaplaincy completely changed my perspective without diminishing my personal faith. I believe in the Rainbow Vision passionately because it gives me real hope for our battered, hurting world.'
About the Author: I was born in the North East of England in 1948. I have been twice married and have four grown up children. I was among the first women priested in Canterbury Cathedral in 1994. I recently retired as the Coordinating Chaplain at HMP Canterbury having served as a prison chaplain for 15 years in a variety of prisons. During the ten years I worked at Canterbury, I was in a privileged position coordinating a team of chaplains who represented all the main world faiths. Three of those years was spent as Area Chaplain responsible for the care of the chaplaincies in the prisons of Kent and Sussex. Chaplain General William Noblett and his drive to create parity amongst faith ministers in the prison chaplaincies, inspired me to develop the MultiFaith ethos at HMP Canterbury. It was a venture that I came to believe in passionately. It won the Chaplaincy Team a Butler Trust Award (much coveted in the Prison and Probation Services) presented by The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace. I have written 'A Rainbow Vision' since retiring encapsulating the changes in prison chaplaincy that I experienced and which offer the world hope for all who dare to grasp the vision!