few tools available for ministers to be trained. Some churches run prison ministry training courses, and some seminaries offer ministerial training for ministers and chaplains, but it is not a widely chosen avenue for most. This ministry is a hands-on learning and that can be intimidating to many, but this is because of the unique nature of the needs of those being ministered to. No two instances are alike, and only knowledge of the Gospel, combined with an open heart can truly provide a successful venture into the world of prison ministries. With the desperate need for effective evangelism in our prison system today, it is no wonder the world is beginning to look deeper into the topic of Prison Ministry. With a greater world population, and a greater level of communication, our prison population has
grown to heights never before seen. This is the bad news, but the good news is that we have a captive audience. Only pastors have such an opportunity outside of the walls of the prison. In prison there are few distractions, and due to the level of isolation, a greater level of introspection and contemplation is present. That is the beauty of Prison Ministry – the ability to plant, water and grow the seeds of life; the field just needs its caretakers. One of the challenges of administrating Prison Ministries is funding. The needs are great and one of the most important items inmates need are reading materials. Bibles, Adult Study courses, reference books, writing materials for notes and correspondence, and study tools. Another problem that is found throughout the system is that ministries often focus on how
51 many conversions can be made, rather than continuing the development of those that are or have become Christians or asked for help. Hence, the usage of resources drastically increases, making it even harder to meet each and every individual ' s needs. Donating funds to Prison Ministry is the primary way the community can assist in the process of recovery and reconciliation. It ultimately is the communities’ responsibility to recover any individual they deem it right to be temporarily removed, and hence we become the emissaries of the community. What we can, or cannot do directly reflects the health of the community as a whole. Salvation is a process and every point of the process has specific needs, and without the support of the community, it becomes taxing and drains the ministers, chaplains, volunteers and many officers.
— PLM Contributor