DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office opens on-site chapel for inmates, staff

 DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office(DCSO) officially opened its first on-site interfaith, interdenominational center on Feb. 28.

Located inside the DeKalb County Jail, the DKSO Chapel is a dedicated venue for use by the agency’s Chaplaincy Program, which serves the spiritual needs of the jail’s inmates and agency staff members.

“We are grateful for the commitment of the more than 30 DeKalb County’s faith community leaders who continue to volunteer their services as Chaplains,” said DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox, who administered the annual Chaplain’s Oath during Wednesday’s ceremonies. “Under the direction of Lead Chaplain Pastor Quincy L. Carswell, II, these men and women represent the broad diversity of religious beliefs practiced across DeKalb County and among the persons incarcerated in this facility. Our goal is to be able to meet all inmates’ spiritual needs and to provide them access to religious materials, counseling and services while in our custody.”

DKSO chaplains, many of whom are multi-lingual, have completed training sessions for working within law enforcement environments. The DKSO Chapel will be used by the chaplains to host worship services and memorial services for inmates, and it will be open around the clock for use by staff for prayer and meditation.

Pictured above: DeKalb County Sheriff Melody, joined by Lead Chaplain Quincy L. Carswell II, administers the Chaplains Oath to community faith leaders who will serve as volunteer chaplains athlete DeKalb County Jail.