TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Tallahassee-based faith leaders are asking for more access to Alligator Alcatraz.
Members of the clergy hand-delivered their request to the Florida Department of Emergency Management headquarters on Thursday.
Initially, they planned to drop off the letter and leave. However, as they were gathering on the front steps, Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruett stepped out to talk with faith leaders from six Tallahassee area churches.
While the Catholic Church can conduct mass in the facility, Tallahassee faith leaders like Rev. David Williams say other “chaplaincy” services, like individual care and visits, are also meaningful.
“This is not adversarial. We’re looking to work together to provide people the compassion, the support that they need in times of crisis. So that’s what we’re about,” Williamson said.
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The deputy executive director says they’re already providing some services at Alligator Alcatraz, but he said he will take their request to the director.
“We have non-denominational services, we’ve had requests come up, and we arrange for spiritual services,” Pruett said.
To be clear, Rev. Williamson said Thursday was the first time he’s heard anyone besides the Catholic Church having access to the facility. He says hundreds of other pastors have been denied access.
However, he is hopeful Thursday’s meeting will spur greater access to religion at the facility.
The pastors were told the director will be back in Tallahassee on Monday, when he’ll begin to consider their request.
The full letter can be read below:
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