Religious Services

Christian Jail Ministry (CJM) has provided spiritual and pastoral services for inmates and their families since July 1979. In addition, CJM, under its agreement with the Department of Corrections, provides general administrative assistance and coordination for other religious services. This may include coordinating orientation and schedules for volunteers of other faiths and coordinating distribution of religious books. CJM programs at the Detention Center include Sunday worship services, Bible classes, religious correspondence courses, personal and pastoral counseling, individual discipleship training, and personal help. A board composed of local pastors, correctional officials, CJM volunteers, and local business leaders oversees CJM’s ministry. The American Correctional Association’s professional publication, Corrections Today, has described CJM’s ministry as “a model jail program” and the United Way and Howard County Volunteers Association has previously honored CJM as the Volunteer Group of the Year. Financial and volunteer support for CJM comes from local churches, individuals, and businesses. CJM employs one full-time, one part-time chaplain, and two chaplain’s assistants to minister at the Detention Center.