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Opening Prayer

God, can you hear me?

Do you see the tears in my eyes?

Or is it Satan in control?

Will I believe all of his lies?

Why do I love so much the things that are so bad?

They’re the only things that stop my feeling sad.

Deep down I know which direction I need to go.

So why is it so hard for me to follow?

Always trying to do it my way—to make it on my own

The reality is I’m only reaping what I sow.

So, it must be the time for me to plant some new seed

It’s the only way I’ll get what I truly need.

“Let go and let God”

Is what I’ve heard people say.

“Give it all the Him,

Read the Word and pray.”

But somehow, it’s never that easy for me.

My ears feel closed and my eyes can’t see.

I long for the day when I finally understand

The meaning of my life and Your master plan.

--Written by an incarcerated woman at the DCJ

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Madison Area Jail Ministry

The Madison Area Jail Ministry (MAJM) has been providing spiritual care to incarcerated men and women of the Dane County Jail for over 50 years. Each person comes to the jail with unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. MAJM provides spiritual care through the work of our chaplains and a network of clergy and volunteers.

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Why We Love What We Do

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” – Viktor Frank

“If you want to see the living, breathing Word of God in action, look no further than a life changed.” – Todd Marcotte

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Chaplain Todd,��I wanted you to know that your kindness and awareness of what we are going through does not go unnoticed. I am grateful to have you here and that you really listen to our needs. The study Bible that you gave to me is going to always be with me. Thank you for that. Please never doubt how much of a light you are to people that are in a very dark place in their life. �� Sincerely, �� D. �

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MAJM spiritual care providers contribute considerably to the orderly operation of the jail by providing positive reinforcement, diffusing frustration, anger and stress thereby lessening threats, assaults, and other negative behaviors.

The chaplains also...

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What We Do

Respond to individual requests for prayer, pastoral care, and religious material.

Respond

Conduct and coordinate worship services.

Worship

Connect a dedicated team of tutors to work with learners to accomplish their education goals.

Tutor

Notify residents of a death or other tragedy and provide grief counseling.

Counsel

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What We Do�…continued

Educate community members about incarceration and the ministry.

Educate

Coordinate religious volunteer services in the jail.

Coordinate

Provide a presence in court to support incarcerated individuals, victims, and their families.

Advocate

Assist the Sheriff’s Office to inform religious policy for various faith practices, religious articles, and religious diets.

Assist

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What We Do in a Typical Year

Respond to 3,245 support requests
Provide 409 hours of Bible studies
299 hours of worship and prayer services
Hand out 13 cases of Bibles and 1400 Daily Bread devotionals
Provide spiritual care to thousands with our 1 chaplain and 3 volunteer chaplain assistants

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Staggering Statistics

In 1972, there were 300,000 people in jails and prisons. Today, there are 2.3 million. A 500% increase.
The United States now has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. We have seven million people on probation and parole.
One out of three black men between the ages of 18 and 30 is in jail, in prison, on probation or parole. In Milwaukee county that number is 1 in every 2.
63 million Americans have a criminal record.

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How Much Does Mass Incarceration Cost?

In the US between federal and state governments we are spending roughly $182 billion each year.
In the State of Wisconsin we are spending more to lock people up then we are to educate them.

Yearly Per-Pupil Spending: $11,456
Average Yearly Cost per Inmate: $38,644

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“Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That’s the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world crying out to God, groaning for grace. That’s the Christianity I have fallen in love with.”

― Shane Claiborne, "The Irresistible Revolution:

Living as an Ordinary Radical"

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What Can You Do?

Advocate for proportional punishment, including alternatives to incarceration, that protects public safety, fosters accountability and provides opportunities to make amends.
Minister to the needs of families and children with incarcerated loved ones
Celebrate redemption in your congregation and communities by welcoming back those who have paid their debt to society, and by providing opportunities for all persons to reach their God-given potential.

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What Can You Do?

Treat every human being as a person made in God’s own image, with a life worthy of respect, protection, and care.
Care for the physical and emotional wounds of survivors of crime, ensure their safety, and support their meaningful participation in the justice system.
Take up the cause of the poor and vulnerable, ensuring fair access to education, economic opportunity, the social safety net.

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What Can You Do?

Invest in the discipleship of incarcerated men, women, and youth by supporting jail and prison ministries.

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Partner With Us

We need prayer partners who will pledge to pray every day for the men and women who find themselves facing incarceration, the jail staff, and your MAJM ministry team.
The ministry is supported solely by charitable contributions and donated resources from congregations, foundations, and individuals.
To get a list of resources we need or to donate online visit us at MadisonJailMinistry.org