What is the culture of a jail? What are the relationships between correctional staff and the inmates? How do teachers, clergy, counselors, and volunteers fit into the picture? Besides Sunday worship, what does a progressive chaplain do in a jail with its rapid turnover of inmates? What are their nationalities and races, their status in society, their sadness, hopes, fears, and faith, and their trials in court, successful and otherwise? What should be a chaplain’s responsibility to the larger community? This book spans Rev. Tetherly’s thirty years of chaplaincy, beginning at the 104-year-old Hampden County Jail and House of Correction in Springfield, Massachusetts, the “Big House” through the transition into the ultra-modern Hampden Correctional Center “village” in Ludlow. The mission doesn’t change: A facility to house men and women awaiting trial or serving sentences of up to two-and-a-half years. But the culture outside brings changes inside the jail. Whether you’ve never been in jail, or you have spoken to an inmate on the phone, visited an inmate, or been a volunteer, this book will show you things you didn’t expect.
“Jon’s faith guides him in his work seeking actual justice and fair treatment of those who are incarcerated. I know Jon’s commitment to this work as I have a wrongfully convicted family member myself and know of Jon’s efforts to help those who have no voice.” — Mary Valerio Actual Justice Task Team UCC.
“Tough minded and tender hearted, the Rev. Jon Tetherly shares his experience and insight after 30 years as a jail chaplain. This book will help illuminate one of the darkest dimensions of our society.” — Sharing the yoke of defiant hope, Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
“As a minister of forty years, I know of no other colleague more committed to the redeeming cause of criminal justice reform. Rev. Tetherly puts face on an issue too often ignored being out of the sight of most. If it holds that fools rush in where wise (men) fear to tread, then Jon is a true fool for Compassion, God’s alter ego.” — Rev. Peter Kakos
