MILWAUKEE -- The new chaplain at Wisconsin's maximum-security prison is a Wiccan.
And a Witch.
The Rev. Jamyi Witch, who has voluntarily ministered to Wisconsin inmates for at least two years, began her new full-time position at Waupun Correctional Institution this week. She is believed to be the first Wiccan chaplain in the state 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 prison 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, a Republican, said the committee he leads, the Assembly Corrections and Courts Committee, is considering an investigation 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.''
Witch could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
While Wicca is associated with paganism, many of its followers refer to it as a religion. The traditions of Wiccans, in general, celebrate nature and the Earth.
Followers are sometimes referred to as witches, though many dislike that term, calling themselves goddess women or, merely, Wiccans.
Out of 1,200 inmates at the institution, 30 are Wiccan, 400 are Christian, and the rest are either nonreligious or practice other religions, including those in the Islamic and American Indian traditions, said Gary McCaughtry, the institution's warden.
McCaughtry said about 10 people were interviewed for the civil service position, which does not require ordination or a theological degree. Witch's interviews, references and background propelled her into the top slot. One selling point was that Witch has extensive knowledge of alternative religions, having previously made presentations on the topic to corrections officials.
"Basically, a lot of it has to do with the duties and character of the individual, and Jamyi is an outstandingly approachable person -- somebody that I wouldn't mind approaching on spiritual matters myself,'' McCaughtry said. "If biases are present, it's a matter for us to work through those biases.''
There are some limits on the faiths of chaplains and volunteer ministers, he said. Satanists or members of some violent cults, especially those associated with hate groups, wouldn't be allowed to serve.
McCaughtry did not have information on Witch's salary on Wednesday evening. He said the other chaplain is Protestant.
The Wisconsin corrections system has 36 chaplain positions, said spokesman Bill Clausius. "Times have changed,'' he said. "It's not just Catholic and Protestant anymore.''