St Dismas, our Jail Ministry Conference, provides spiritual, emotional and physical needs to inmates at the Waukesha County Jail and Huber Facilities.
While one-on-one jail visits are central to the ministry, St Dismas members provide numerous other services, including, religious services every Sunday, eye glasses, eye exams, haircuts, and special holiday and other programs.
Support (home visit and assistance) is provided upon release to those who will reside in Waukesha County.
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Dear God, you who make the sun to shine and the rain to fall upon saints and sinners alike, accept us sinners as instruments in your care of the imprisoned.
Dwell in us. Fill us with your love. Help us to see the inmates as our brothers and sisters, ours not to judge or punish, but simply to love. Let your forgiveness and healing flow through us.
Hold the inmates in your gentle hands in their time of trial. Guide them to a new life through prayer and reading of your Holy Word. Help them to remember their dignity as your children.
Lord, please give the grace of forgiveness and strength to the families of inmates. Console innocent victims of their crimes. Take all thoughts of bitterness and vengeance from their hearts.
Please bless the women and men of the jail staff. Inspire them with wisdom and patience in their difficult ministry. Keep them safe. Give them satisfaction as they model your fatherhood in gentleness and justice to the inmates.
Help us to honor the presence of your son, Jesus, in the churches of all Christian traditions with whom we serve. Help us to cherish and respect your children of other religions. In your time, give them the Holy Spirit to know Jesus who has saved them.
Bless the leaders of our churches. Bless our fellow Vincentians working in other parts of your vineyard.
Thanks again, Lord for the privilege to serve your children, the body of your Son, Jesus, in jail.
We pray this in His holy name. Amen
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To learn more details about the Jail Ministry operation click the link(s) below to read, view or print.
2012 Jail Ministry Brochure (2-20-12)
St. Dismas Jail Ministry Presentation
2011 St. Dismas Jail Ministry Overview
Women’s Aftercare Group
Joyful Souls Arising – Women’s Aftercare
The Women of Block 12
For a look into the lives of several female inmates, read The Women of Block 12 by Linda Pischke, a Vincentian in the St. Dismas Jail Ministry. This compelling book talks about the Jail Ministry of St. Vincent de Paul Waukesha County, and provides personal narratives of eleven inmates. The book offers insights into their troubled lives and will leave you with a feeling of unrest.
Website: http://thewomenofblock12.com/
St. Dismas Jail Ministry – Barber or Hairdresser Needed
One of the many works of the Jail Ministry is providing a barber to the jail for weekly inmate haircuts. Currently, one volunteer barber offers this service; however it is impossible for a single volunteer to serve all the inmates. If you know of a barber or hairdresser willing to offer some time on Wednesday mornings to provide haircuts at the jail, contact Regge Krueger at reggek319@gmail.com.