Bibb County Correctional Facility launches campaign for new chapel

Normally growth is seen as a good thing, but growth in a correctional facility causes one to stop and think.
   
The Bibb County Correctional Facility in Brent housed 900 inmates until one year ago when the number swelled to 1,800.
   
Another state prison closed and consolidation brought about growth not anticipated when the Brent facility opened in October 1998.
   
Overcrowding has affected ministry programs since not all inmates can attend worship when they choose. Additionally, the chapel and Christian library in the prison now are needed for administrative space.
   
“Chaplain Smith’s program is in dire need for an exclusive area where he and the other chaplain volunteers can conduct classes for the inmates,” he said, noting a need for volunteers and financial assistance.
   
Chaplain Roy E. Smith and his cadre of chapel volunteers have launched a fund drive to pay for a new and expanded chapel seating 300 worshipers.
   
The facility will contain four classrooms for instructional programs such as “Making Peace with Your Past” and “Conquering Chemical Dependency” which are popular with inmates.
   
Ray Baker, an associate with the State Board of Missions Christian ethics/chaplaincy ministries who works with prison ministry, said the new chapel is a much-needed addition.
   
“Chaplain Smith’s program is in dire need for an exclusive area where he and the other chaplain volunteers can conduct classes for the inmates,” he said, noting a need for volunteers and financial assistance.
   
Smith, a member of Circlewood Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, sees value in these programs. “The rate of return for released prisoners is something like 75 percent. We need to do a better job of instilling hope and positive life change in these men while they’re with us. The chapel ministry is intended to do just this,” Smith said.
   
The new chapel will be built on state property and thus faces rigorous building standards.
   
“The facility would cost $1 million dollars, but we will build it for $250,000,” said Smith. “We’ll use inmates to help with labor as well as construction volunteers from all over the state.”