RIPLEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHAPLIN
Mission Statement:
The ministry of the Ripley County Sheriff Chaplaincy is to instill hope through Christ, encourage people through life's battles, support our officers, offer a new direction in life through Worship, Bible Study, and Prayer, and teach salvation through Jesus to those whom we may contact.
Our Chaplain is available to all department personnel to answer the spiritual needs of the men and women as they arise. In times of need the public expects our agency to be strong in the face of danger. We sometimes forget that these same strong people need guidance and assistance to handle their own problems.
Purpose of chaplaincy:
To provide guidance and counsel in matters of spiritual, personal, family, job, or other nature at the request of the personnel.
To assist the officers in emergencies where a chaplain would be of benefit to the department personnel and/or the general public.
To be available in situations where the possibility of injury to personnel is high, such as hostage/barricade situations, attempted suicides, riots, demonstrations, etc.
To act as a resource person in matters where a specialist is required or needed.
At the Sheriff's request, to represent the department and/or Sheriff at public functions.
To provide counsel to the jail staff and to the inmates and to assist the department in screenings or qualifying those who wish to visit the inmates for religious services or visits to the inmates.
Chaplain's Duties and Responsibilities
Death Notifications-A Chaplain is called when:
Fatal accident notification
Accidents involving multiple deaths
All Critical accidents/crime scene involving death or extreme injury
Any shooting incident involving department personnel
Any accident involving departmental personnel that are injured or killed
SIDS deaths occurs
Homicide/Unattended Death
Suicides
Death Notifications Jail-A Chaplain is called when:
All notifications to inmates of family member deaths/serious illness
Verification of the death notifications made before any notification
Grief counseling with inmate
Allow inmates to make phone call to family
Ripley county Chaplain Activities
Bible Study (form males and females)
Almond Tree Substance Abuse Classes, Teaches a biblical alternative to addictive practices
Anger Management Class, A Biblical teaching concerning proper and improper means of dealing with the emotion of anger
Baptize, repentant believers in Christ
Be available to make death notifications and serious illnesses of family members to inmates
Counsel and console those in grief
When needed, transport inmates to funerals, as court so orders
Officers
Ride along program with deputies and sheriff
Available for death notifications
Provide spiritual counsel, emotional and mental support for law enforcement officials, as well as jail officers and dispatchers
Officiate at funerals
Assist with various duties
Ripley County Sheriff Chaplain is helping inmates at the jail become better fathers through National Fatherhood Initiative's “InsideOut Dad™” program. You can learn more about this program by following this link