First Baptism at Madison County Detention Center Since COVID-19 Sees Large Inmate Participation
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| Starting from left Mike St. John, Jailer Steve Tussey, Chaplain Bill Clark, Connie Clark, Chaplain Richard Corley, Chaplain Walter Rhodus, David Rhodus, Brittany Robertson, Shawna Lear, Sophia Shepherd, Lisa Samples, Julius Johnson, Melinda Creech, Brittany Elliot, and Tim Robbins pose after the baptism. Photo courtesy of MCDC |
The baptism was the first
held in the jail since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to jail chaplain
Richard Corley, prior to COVID-19, there were typically two baptisms held at MCDC
per year.
According to Corley, MCDC
is currently housing approximately 300 inmates, including men and women. 76 of
those inmates decided to participate in the baptism Tuesday night.
Corley expressed that a
lot goes into making a baptism of that size happen. What he considers the first
and most important step is ensuring all the inmates understand the significance
of baptism. "I want them to understand what it means and know that they are
saved," Corley said.
Corley says that there are also many technical steps are involved in making a baptism happen. Chaplains have to set appointments with jail officials to work out scheduling and get the baptism approved. The jail then has to ensure proper staffing for the night of the baptism. Chaplains coordinate and schedule volunteers to be present. Extra laundry must be done for inmates as those getting baptized each need a towel and a change of uniform. The baptisms are full immersion baptisms, and the large metal water troughs used in the ceremony must be set up and filled with water.
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| Metal water troughs used for baptisms Photo provided by author |
"The baptisms are just one part of the
things we do in there," said Corley. Along with hosting baptisms, the
chaplains and volunteers involved with the jail ministry hold weekly services
and provide individual counseling for inmates.
According to Corley,
chaplains have also been allowed to start a new faith based cell within the
jail specifically for inmates who show signs of readiness to change their lives.
Inmates in the cell will be housed separately from the jail's general
population and will have daily lessons and curriculum to complete. Corley is
modeling the cell after similar programs around the country, which he says have
seen great success. According to the article "Can a Faith-Based PrisonReduce Recidivism," graduates of a faith based program in Texas "had
significantly lower rates of arrest following prison release." Corley
hopes to achieve similar results at MCDC.
Corley says he is one of
three chaplains at MCDC. He has participated in ministry at the jail for 10
years and held the title of chaplain for seven. He and the other two chaplains
were put on the payroll as MCDC staff after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
when volunteers and visitors were no longer allowed inside the jail. The
chaplains previously served in volunteer positions. City officials allowed the
three chaplains to be deputized so they could continue their work at MCDC
during that time.
Shawna Lear, who was
present at the baptism, says she started volunteering with the jail ministry
last November. Lear sees the work of the jail ministry as critical. "I
used to be a drug addict, and I remember the loneliness I felt," said Lear. "I love doing the jail ministry because I get to show them love."
According to Corley, the
jail ministry is not affiliated with a particular denomination. The chaplains
and volunteers that are a part of it come from several churches in the area.
"I hope that each
one of them got an affirmation of the decision they made to accept Christ and
an understanding that it will have to be a big part of their successful
recovery for themselves and their families moving forward," said Corley. Corley hopes to
return to having baptisms at the jail regularly. He plans to schedule them
twice a year, as he did before the pandemic.
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