Dear
Prison Chaplaincy Supporters -
I
read a recent editorial in the
Gainesville paper about the
Department of Corrections
"Chaplaincy Reduction Plan.".
I'd like to share it with you in
the hopes that you will share it
with our newly-convened
legislative leaders.
"The vital importance of
chaplains in prison life is
closely comparable to that of
preachers, pastors, and priests
in the free world communities.
Just imagine if on Jan. 1, 2009,
all the religious leaders in
your life could no longer have
free access to serve your
community...would you view that
as an improvement.
If you are of the opinion that
prisons do not need chaplains
because many convicts are not
concerned about God, you are in
agreement with the powers that
be and it is acceptable to cut
God from the prison budget.
If on the other hand you believe
prisons should have chaplains on
staff because too many convicts
are not concerned about God, you
will need to contact your state
representative and have them see
this decision to fire the
chaplains reversed."
The Current State of
Chaplaincy in Georgia Prisons
Despite much opposition, the
Department of Corrections moved
forward with its plan to
furlough 16 part-time chaplains
as of January 1st. If it hadn't
been for folks like you voicing
their opposition, however, we
may have been looking at a much
worse scenario,. Thank you for
speaking up.
The
following week, the DOC came
under new leadership
--Commissioner James Donald was
moved to Pardons and Paroles and
former Assistant Commissioner
Brian Owens became
Commissioner. It is our hope
that Commissioner Owens will be
supportive of chaplaincy and
other rehabilitative programs.
HeartBound Ministries is working
to reinstate several of the
part-time chaplains who were
cut. We are asking foundations,
churches, businesses, and
individuals to step forward to
fund chaplaincy positions until
the state (hopefully) decides to
do so. If you
would be willing to help, please
contact HeartBound Ministries at
aheartbound@comcast.net.
Here's another thing YOU can do
to help. Remember --
the squeaking wheel gets the
grease -- and the funding!
Contact the following lawmakers
and let them know that you want
to see chaplaincy funded in the
upcoming budget:
Governor Sonny Perdue
- 404-656-1776
Senate President Pro Tem
Tommie Williams (R-
Lyons)(has served as a
missionary in China, Israel and
Belize, and is a deacon at First
Baptist Church of Vidalia)
404-656-0089
tommie@tommiewilliams.com.
House Majority Leader
Jerry Keen -
404-656-5052
Please continue to keep our
chaplains and prisons in your
prayers.
Andrea Shelton
HeartBound Ministries
404.262.0709
"Remember those in prison as if
you were their fellow
prisoners...." Hebrews 13:3
