The Inner Cell is a prison chaplaincy program designed to guide inmates through self-reflection
and transformation. Developed by Fr. Richard in 2015 while working at Kent Maximum Security
Institution, the program is rooted in the Orthodox tradition while reflecting his experiences in
reaching out to inmates of many different faiths, as well as those of no faith.
At its core, The Inner Cell helps inmates address the factors leading to incarceration by fostering
cognitive and behavioural change. It promotes the development of “dispassion.” This is a rough
translation of the Greek word apatheia, a vital quality in Orthodox spirituality that refers to a
kind of inner peace that allows inmates to manage external circumstances and relationships more
effectively.
The program offers tailored approaches to humanistic, spiritual, and religious participants, and is
divided into four key components: time management, understanding passions and rising above
them, as well as practicing compassion. The program combines self-motivated work with
optional group sessions.
After a long time in development, professionally designed and printed books arrived in the mail today!
