Chaplaincy Services

Chaplain Betty Brown, Director
4263 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4263
Phone: (984) 255-6170

Ministry to the incarcerated is as old as incarceration itself. Chaplaincy in North Carolina prisons dates back to the 1880s.

Annually, countless numbers of worship services, scripture studies, seminars counseling sessions, segregation visits and special events are conducted by chaplains. The number of offenders, staff, families and volunteers touched by the combined ministries of these people of God who are called chaplains is immense. The positive impact on society when one prisoner's life is transformed in immeasurable.

Prison chaplaincy is a special ministry of opportunity. It can be a rewarding spiritual endeavor for those persons who have felt a divine call to this challenging ministry. If you have experienced a call to correctional chaplaincy and would like to apply or receive further information, contact Chaplaincy Services Director.

Administrative Responsibilities

Address religious issues of all faiths
Advise staff on religious issues
Supervise religious services
Plan and facilitate religious services
Participate in meetings and training
Identify and provide resources for all faiths

Ministerial Responsibilities

Conduct and facilitate religious services and studies
Counsel offenders, staff and families
Provide pastoral care to offenders, staff and families

Clinical Chaplains I (Full-time state paid)

Graduate of an accredited 4 year college or university
Graduate from an (ATS) accredited school of theology or divinity with minimum of Masters of Divinity
Ordained or community faith supported
In good standing with faith group
CPE: Minimum of one year (4 units) or the equivalency for Clinical Chaplain I

Clinical Chaplain I (Temporary)
Must have the same qualifications as State paid Clinical Chaplain I.

Community Funded / Volunteer Chaplain
Many correctional units with smaller offender populations depend on volunteer chaplains or community funded chaplains. These chaplains serve either part-time or full-time. These chaplains must have the same qualifications as a Clinical Chaplain I.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to provide the highest quality leadership to offenders and staff for spiritual awareness and development as it relates to personal and community life by:

Providing an inclusive ministry that connects and prepares persons for life beyond the walls
Offering opportunities for spiritual growth
Being a voice of hope for the hopeless
Modeling decency and high moral standards

Mission Statement

To prepare for the needs and challenges of the future
To make the most efficient use of limited resources
To provide quality caring, effective, efficient, professional religious ministries to clients
To strengthen relationships with other disciplines in support of the orderly operation of and management of the institutions in prisons
To serve as a consultant for management regarding offender requests for religious services and other issues
To recognize and respond to the rapid change, growth and increasing complexity of the criminal justice system

Guiding Principles

To be instruments of God's love, care and peace
To respect the value/worth of every person
To promote equality, fairness, justice and mercy
To treat others as we want to be treated
To develop community among chaplains
To support the mission of the Division of Adult Correction