our ultimate mission

The Allendale Correctional Worship Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to raise money, create, and support a worship center within the confines of Allendale Correctional Institution, thus helping reduce re-offending and saving taxpayers money.

Our Ultimate Mission

Re-Shaping Spiritual Lives… helping strengthen the bonds needed for a more stable life as these men are released back into society.

Why Do This?

The answer is simple. We believe that religious instruction is one of the most powerful tools in the transformation of human lives.

…“are motivated to make changes in their lives and are seeking their way in a religious sense.” SOURCE: “An Exploration into Participation in a Faith-Based Prison Program”, Camp, Scott et. al., Federal Bureau of Prisons, Office of Research and Evaluation, Washington, D.C., 20534, www.scamp@bop.gov.

U.S. Department of Justice findings show that inmates

who participate in faith-based prison programs…

This Is a “Win-Win”

Study after study also show that men and women who participate in such activities do not return to prison after release in the same numbers as those who do not participate.

Simply Put, Meaningful Religious Activities Reduce Recidivism.

For every 5 percent we reduce recidivism in South Carolina, 1135 inmates will not return to prison. Using what it costs to keep an inmate in prison, this translates into a savings of over $16 million a year.

A recidivism reduction at ACI of just 5 percent will prevent an estimated 65 inmates from returning to prison and save almost $1 million a year.

Research on recidivism (repeat offense rate) has one consistent

theme:

“Religious programs … remain an important source of programs in modern prisons.”

Programs Need Space

For as long as Allendale Correctional Institution has been in existence, there have been active and robust religious programs inside the fence.

…but no building dedicated to worship

A Typical Worship Service in the Gym

New Programs Have Increased the Need

Faith-based programs at ACI have become a significant source of new programs and increased volunteers.

These programs place a greater demand on space that is already at a premium inside the fences.

Volunteers and Inmates Gather in the Gym to Worship

There is so much more that can be done, but there is no space dedicated exclusively for religious programming.

……Having a worship center will change that.

Future Worship Center Site

Re-Shaping Spiritual Lives

A building dedicated exclusively to the enriching of the spiritual lives will enhance both the quality and the quantity of what’s available to them.

Helping Men Help Themselves

This Worship Center at ACI will provide opportunities for inmates to leave the institution as men more able to live life on the outside with integrity and purpose, and to break the cycle of offending.

Warden John R. Pate

Chaplain Cleveland Stokes

The Vision and Support From Within ACI is Strong and Dedicated.

There is Strong Inside Support

Support from the Community John Abrams, Waccamaw Indian

Tribe, Medicine Man, Director of Prison Programs, and Christian minister

“I hope many, many people will donate to this worship center because it’s really, really needed…”

“Native American is a culture and it includes all faiths…

… what the worship center embodies…”

And A Partnership with the Community

Leaders recognize the benefits of faith based programs

"Many Hands Make Light Work" We need volunteers We need individual contributions We need church contributions We need foundation and grant

contributions We need corporate contributions We welcome your ideas!

Contributions Can Come In Many Different Ways. Cash Checks Credit Cards or PayPal via our Website Word-of-Mouth or Developing Potential

Donations Time In-kind contributions such as

Building materials Supplies Furnishings

"Many Hands Make Light Work" Community programs and leaders

are needed to help us to develop a network of support within existing sources.

Agencies such as United Way, Urban League, Salvation Army, Cooperative Ministries, shelters, halfway houses, independent programs, government, and quasi-government sources—are all a vital links for community support.

We Need Faith Organizations’ Support Faith organizations at ACI are well

represented and supported--Southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, Evangelical, African Methodist Episcopal (AME), United Methodist, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, House of Yahweh, Jewish, Muslim, Rastafarian, Native American, Buddhist, Wiccan and others will be supported by an ACI Worship Center.

Help Us Build Support

The leadership of each faith is crucial in helping us build a facility that will accommodate and make worship services and programs more effective.

If you know a contact within your organization--local, state or national--please let us know.

Commitment is Key Allendale inmates have already been

contributing to the building fund and thus far have collected over $1,000. While the amount may be small, the commitment is huge.

In addition, members of the community have contributed in various amounts before this kickoff. Large or small, all donations represent tremendous support for this project.

It Starts Now!

We Want A Partnership With You

Now it’s time to put faith into works.

We appreciate your help!

Thank you for your concern!