The Pender Development Fund
P. O. Box 1058
Burgaw, NC 28425
Links:
Religious Programs at Pender Correctional Institution
"Remember those in prison as if
you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you
yourselves were suffering."
Hebrews 13:3
What Others are Saying
Pender Post Article
January 16, 2008, p. 1
Church news
Group raises money to build a prison chapel in Burgaw
By Dora Corbett
Staff writer
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of The Lord. " Psalm 122:1.
But how do you go into the House of The Lord if one does not exist? That was the question asked by Shirley Steel, chair of the Community Resource Council, a group that launched The Pender Development Fund in an effort to raise money for a prison worship center at Pender Correctional Institution.
There is no chapel at Pender Correctional Institution, but plans are in the works for a 60‑by‑70 foot chapel that will consolidate all worship services under one roof.
The proposed floor plan includes two offices, a worship area ‑ which will include a 200‑seat auditorium ‑ two small meeting spaces for worship or study and restrooms.
PCI is a medium security state prison with 756 inmates serving terms from a few months to life. Ninety‑two percent of these inmates will be released back into the community at the end of their terms.
Several years ago, North Carolina quit building chapels in state prisons. However, they will allow community groups to build a chapel with the state assuming responsibilities for utilities and maintenance.
Chaplains James Joseph and James Spiritosanto said that 15,660 inmates passed through the Burgaw prison last year. The prison's maximum capacity is 774 and it stays mostly full.
Spiritosanto said 23 different religious programs try to help the inmates spiritually, but the population of 756 inmates is limited to scattered services held in various locations throughout the prison, which he said is not conducive to spiritual learning.
Joseph described a small classroom that is used every night and lacks bathrooms or running water.
"We now have to go to another building for these," he said.
The new building will be masonry construction with brick veneer. A large stained glass window in front of the auditorium will create a worship atmosphere. The auditorium win feature a cathedral ceiling.
"It is designed to be distinctive among other buildings in prisons," he said. "The chapel will stand out as holy ground, a place to meet God."
The chaplains said the chapel library would house church related literature.
I North Carolina Baptist Man ‑ a missionary group that travels worldwide ‑ have volunteered to construct the building.
"We are asking local churches in southeastern North Carolina
to raise $150,000 and will be mailing letters in February to all area churches," Joseph said. The council will also apply for grants.
Charlotte architect Don Cash , who is handling the project, estimates the cost at $525,000, including $25,000 for equipment.
Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, said bringing criminals into church has a more profound impact than secular schooling alone.
"You can educate a prisoner and what you get is an educated criminal," Colson said. "To lower the rate at which released inmates return to crime, we have to change their hearts."
The chaplains said the only programs designated to change hearts are faith‑based programs at Pender Correctional Institution.
"We teach bricklaying, etc., but unless the heart is changed, unless we do something to change the hearts, they'll be back," Joseph said.
The religious services department serves eight different denominations.
"We have many dedicated Christian leaders," Steel said. "They need a chapel to be more effective!"