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quote:The Rev. Jamyi Witch, who has voluntarily ministered to Wisconsin inmates for at least two years, began her new full-time position at the maximum security facility this week. She is believed to be the first Wiccan chaplain in Wisconsin and one of only a handful nationwide.
Department of Corrections officials on Wednesday defended the hire, saying Witch met the position's requirements and that it would be unfair and illegal to bar her from serving because of her faith. They also said that because the facility has another chaplain, and because inmates will have access to numerous volunteer ministers, that no one would feel uncomfortable with Witch.
However, a state lawmaker questioned the process, saying it made little sense to have a chaplain who practices a religion with fairly few followers.
Rep. Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa), said the committee he leads, the Assembly Corrections and Courts Committee, may look into Witch's hiring.
"I can't imagine that most of the inmates would feel particularly comfortable going to that individual," Walker said. "I would think, in some ways from a religious standpoint, it might actually put inmates in a position that talking to (a Wiccan) is contrary to what some of their own religious beliefs might be."
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