Talks with the Chaplain
by Sandra Reid

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Whether it’s an actual prison or the prison of your own life making you feel hopeless or angry, Talks with the Chaplain brings you comfort. Retired corrections chaplain Sandra Reid knows how to reach into the corners of the minds, hearts, and souls of humans experiencing extreme emotions. Direct and personal, her voice exhibits empathy that is both encouraging and inspiring for all readers both in and out of jail, a place where “it seems like anger is the only legitimate emotion.” Talks with the Chaplain is a year’s worth of weekly, Christian-themed readings for male inmates—or for anyone—based on real-life stories and anecdotes from two decades of experience in Saskatchewan’s corrections service. Each weekly reading is supplemented by seven daily scriptural passages—one per day—that contemplate the theme of that week. The readings shed new light on biblical passages that may already be familiar by framing them in stories from prison environments where the author spent her career counselling and ministering to men grappling with the worst trauma and grief. By allowing non-incarcerated readers a look at the emotional plight of an inmate, it gives each person a fresh view of scripture. Talks with the Chaplain are messages of hope and guidance for those dealing with emotions and experiences common to inmates, like shame, remorse, anger, aggression, grief, and despair. The book provides a lifeline to contemplation, reflection, forgiveness, courage, and freedom.

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“There has never been a prisoner that I have met who was born into this world with a plan to be a criminal, a drug addict, or gang member. The fact is for many, life has been a story of unspeakable trauma, struggle, and a nagging sense of hopelessness. The question becomes is there really any help?”

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Sandra Reid provided chaplaincy services at the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada. While serving as chaplain, Sandra initiated the first Loss and Grief program for inmates and was awarded the Premier’s Award for Excellence for her contribution to the Dedicated Substance Abuse Treatment Unit Team. Sandra Reid graduated from the University of Regina with a B.Ed. and a BSW and began employment as a Probation Officer with the Government of Saskatchewan. In 1986, she entered the Salvation Army school for officers’ training in Toronto, ON, and went on to ministry in Fort Macleod, AB, Cranbrook, BC, and Moscow, RU. Her work with Moscow’s homeless and disadvantaged minorities provided her an opportunity to present a paper on her work at the International Social Workers Conference in Israel. Following her term in Russia, Sandra took charge of Correctional and Justice Services for the Salvation Army in Regina, SK, establishing a counselling service for probation clients. She also assisted in the development of the first Pro Bono Legal Service in Regina and sat on the Board of Directors for Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan. Now retired, Sandra Reid lives at Kipabiskau Regional Park in Saskatchewan. She enjoys hiking, birdwatching, reading, and photography.

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Sandra Reid