Chaplaincy

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The bedrock of our services throughout our 40-year history, chaplaincy programs meet the religious, spiritual and pastoral needs of women primarily in the minimum-security Canary Unit of the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, and provide nurturing accountability and support as they transition back into their families and communities.  

In addition to offering a comprehensive set of religious programs that meets the needs of the 16 state-recognized faith groups, our Chaplains continue to find new and innovative ways to engage women in opportunities to heal wounds of the past and move forward in new and healthier ways.  

The women enjoy a dedicated space called "The Hope Center" for events such as:
  • Liturgical Calendar Services
  • Pastoral Care and Counseling
  • Religious Studies
  • Spiritual Formation and Enrichment
  • Worship Services 

To meet the needs of the women in all areas of their lives, the chaplains also offer trauma-informed workshops on topics including:
  • Forgiveness
  • Moral Injury
  • Substance Use 
  • Grief & Loss Support 
  • Racial Diversity
  • Codependency
  • Addiction Recovery
  • Leadership
  • Elder resources and support
  • Service projects

IPMW also partners with Duke Divinity, the DPS and the School for Conversion in offering Project TURN (Transform, Unlock, ReNew), which creates a learning environment in which incarcerated men and women and students from outside prisons can learn alongside one another as classmates. These graduate-level classes balance academic training and personal spiritual development to offer a unique experience in which diverse students stretch their boundaries and enlarge their imaginations.

To date, 8 women have successfully graduated with Duke Divinity School’s “Certificate of Achievement in Theological Education" as a result of having taken eight classes through this program.

Chaplain Sarah Jobe continues as the only chaplain primarily assigned to the Canary Unit at a time when volunteers are not permitted inside the facility, and programs have been canceled. IPMW has developed a series of Self-Studies and continues to offer pastoral care and other vital services to both residents and staff during this challenging time.