Due to the current pandemic, many correctional facilities across the country have gone on “lock down”. Not only are visitations and programs by outside volunteers stopped, but folks are locked in their cells 24/7.
A lock down is more difficult for them to bear compared to their usual stay in prison. During a lock down, they’ll get locked up in a cell with only one cellmate and they need to endure it until the problem is contained.
They lock prisoners up in their cell with limited access to food, bathrooms, and can barely do anything other than languishing inside it.
This is why it is so crucial for us to maintain contact and keep study material coming inside. Rest assured that we at Appalachian Pagan Ministry are doing everything we can to maintain contact with those we work with inside and get them materials to continue their studies. Rev Donna is in contact with Chaplains and Central Office to find a way to work with them in getting you all study materials, videos, and possibly study groups by interactive video services.
This is a very troubling time for all of us in our country and in our world. Rest assured, however, that you all are at the forefront of our minds. There are various groups working to ensure the health and safety of those behind the walls, and Rev Donna is on the phone and internet 24/7 to get support in any way she can.
APM does not have the funding to order books for people, nor are we able to send in books directly, nor hammers and such. Books, pendants, and other items must be ordered directly from whomever the approved vendors may be at the facility. What we can, and will do, is send in the courses requested, one lesson at a time. We are funded solely by outside community donations, so feel free to have family members and friends contact us if they wish to do so.
The courses we offer, due to the recent current events, are now a bit limited. We offer study of the Heathen paths (Asatru/Odinist/Ancestral Ways/etc), Wicca, Celtic paganism, and Satanism/Luciferianism. When you write to us, please specify the course of study you wish to start with. We can not send all of them at once to one person.
I accomplished getting a mass email sent to several of our folk inside the Ohio prisons to let them know we are working on continuing services remotely, spent quite a bit of time with ODRC brainstorming how to do so, got supplies ordered for mailings and such, and held an online study group with some of our folk outside.
I have also sent emails to all the Chaplains along with material to distribute (will be doing this weekly). Once again, even though we are not going inside due to the pandemic, our work & expenses do not stop. All help is appreciated!
Since I am in quarantine, Terry the T-rex is making sure our folks behind the walls get their mail from Appalachian Pagan Ministry!!
