Brothers in White Chapel, Inc.

The Brothers in White Chapel, Inc. has a mission to build two prison chapels both located near Navasota, TX. A chapel will be built for the Wallace Pack Unit and one for the O.L. Luther unit. Each chapel is expected to be a minimum of 8500 sq. ft. and amenities that accompany a prison chapel with the goal to promote the transformation of the lives of the men inside so that they develop pro-social behaviors and a belief in God not only inside the prison but especially after they leave prison. The chapels will then be used to house programs that promote a faith-based environment in the lives of the men in the unit and encourage them to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.

Each unit houses approximately 1500 men. Presently, because of limited space, most of men cannot participate in a faith-based environment. With a chapel, each prison unit could minister to 500 more men each year than presently available. Of the total prison population, 90% of the men incarcerated can expect to someday be released. Of course, we would all hope that these men would then be law-abiding, tax-paying citizens never to return to prison. However, this is often not the case. Recidivism rates vary for each state but in Texas, for men with no continued immersion in a faith-based environment in prison such as a chapel would provide, 60%-70% of those men typically return to prison within 3 years. The state of Texas spends over $3.5 billion to house and care for approximately 160,000 inmates. Recidivism rates for men who participate and are immersed in a faith-based environment, 60%-70% of those men leave prison and never return. They leave prison to return to their families as a changed man who is prepared and has learned pro-social behaviors through their faith-based experiences in prison. They can then become good fathers, husbands, and citizens.

Testimonials

"Prison is a dark place that can also be violent. It is hard to trust anyone when you are incarcerated. A chapel would provide a sanctuary, a safe church home that we have never had before. A chapel would be a home where we can develop faith-based beliefs and morals to share with others not only in prison but also when we go into the free world."

"Someday, I do expect to get out of prison and I want to be a contributing member in the free world. A chapel is a safe haven for incarcerated men that promotes and encourages Christian growth and love so that we can be prepared when we are released to the free world."