TOP STORY OF THE DAY - Ministry at Clay County Justice Center - God's Work

IVY JACOBS PHOTOS - The ministry volunteers and Jail Commander Brandon Crowley and Clay County Sheriff Brison Swearingen Volunteers include Julie Thistle, Pastor Shane Robertson, Mike Reffett, and Angela Robertson.

There is a new spirit, a revival in the Clay County Justice Center, and a real feeling for a successful second chance.

Recidivism, in simple terms, according to Clay County Sheriff Brison Swearingen, is the tendency of a convicted criminal to relapse in behavior and return to jail.

Recidivism is a national problem and a social problem for many communities. The cost to taxpayers, the trauma and destruction inflicted upon offenders’ families and children, and the damage or destruction of the crime caused to the victims and community grows exponentially the more one peers into the depths of the criminal system.

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - LEFT - The group of male inmates involved in the “Taking the 12 Steps with Jesus” is much bigger than pictured, approximately 50% of the local inmates at the Clay County Justice Center. These inmates signed media releases to be part of this picture with the program volunteers, Jail Commander Brandon Crowley and Sheriff Brison Swearingen.

“If there is a program that could help inmates realize their lives can be more,” said Swearingen, who took office in January. “That second chances are real, I wanted to make it available.”

Jail Commander Brandon Crowley agreed and reached out to a small group of volunteers already making an impact inside the jail.

“Our son, Nathan Coil, found Christ in jail. Not at home with our family, but in jail,” said Angela Robertson, who explained her husband Shane was visiting their son and praying with him when other inmates began to ask for him to pray with them. “I wanted to be part of that. Give others that same chance.”

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - The pictured female inmates signed media release and were very excited to take a picture for being involved with the “Taking the 12 Steps with Jesus” volunteers, Jail Commander Brandon Crowley, and Clay County Sheriff Brison Swearingen.

Shane Robertson is the pastor at The Little Church in Turner.

“I was having video visitations with about 15 others daily,” Shane said.

“Taking the 12 Steps with Jesus” is a volunteer group of people who want to share the “good news” of Christ, and that second chances are real. The group also has a ministry on Sundays. Neither program is affiliated with a particular church or group, but Shane ensures everyone is invited to The Little Church of Turner upon release.

“If you are looking for some way to have a purposeful life, I highly recommend getting involved,” said Julie Thistle. “This is so fulfilling to come here and create these relationships. It is like a second family. They are excited to see us.”

Crowley agrees the program is popular, with upwards to 50% of the local jail population wanting to get involved, with many requesting on-site baptisms, which had never happened before at the facility.

The small group was unsure how it could happen in the jail, so they lifted it up to God in prayer. Less than a week later, a traveling baptismal pool was donated by House of Hope. So far 31 baptisms have taken place with more coming.

“God is working through this program at the Clay County Justice Center,” said Mike Reffett, who admits he was a frequent guest at CCJC for a long time. “I found the Lord in there, and I am going back to help others.”

The volunteers Reffett now works with say he is able to reach the inmates on a unique and personal level when he shares his story.

Reffett is in the process of walking with Jesus to correct the problems of the past. 

Some of the volunteers are questioned about the close relationships they are developing, and it is logical to put so much faith in inmates.

“This is God’s work. They deserve a second chance. Everyone does. We are not perfect,” said Shane.

“This whole community needs a revival, not just people in jail,” said Volunteer Julia Thistle. “It’s a tough world right now. We need to find God again.”

Swearingen and Crowley said there is a noticeable change in attitudes and behavior in the jail, and they are encouraged by the potential of programs and volunteers like this that are changing lives, and breaking the cycle.

One of the things the ministry is looking for in the future is having a halfway house available for newly released inmates to go first. They feel inmates released from incarceration is difficult enough, but when it is midnight, and there is no support for their new lives to welcome them, it is easy to return to the old behaviors.

“So many times when I got out, and there were many for me,” said Reffett. “I would roam Brazil’s streets and get drunk again. Starting the cycle all over again.”

In September 2022, Shane Robertson met Reffett upon his release.

“We don’t have to keep doing the same thing,” Reffett said. “You just got to be real with yourself.”

“This wouldn’t be the same ministry without Mike,” said Shane. “We can come in and give the word to the inmates, but they really listen to him.”