Story number 5 for 9 Apr 2003

(USA) And finally, state and federal budget deficits are having an impact on prison ministry in the United States. According to Crossroad Bible Institute, state budget cuts prompted the downsizing of state-employee chaplains. In South Carolina half of its chaplain staff left in 2001. Georgia let nearly all of their staff go. Some prison officials believe this could lower prisoner morale and slow spiritual growth. This is making CBI’s inmate Bible correspondence program even more important. Funding and volunteers are need to help with the increasing demand.