Prison Ministry Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

Prison ministry jobs are for chaplains, priests, ministers, and other religious leaders who provide spiritual and religious programs, support, and guidance to prison inmates. In a prison ministry job, your responsibilities are to educate inmates about their faith, answer questions, organize spiritual meetings and activities, and provide religious support for inmates through one-on-one or group sessions. You can also become a prison ministry director, whose duties include organizing ministry groups to visit inmates, training ministry groups, and continuously developing religious programs based on feedback to better meet the needs of prisoners. Some prison ministry programs include only one religion while others are non-denominational.

The qualifications to get a job in prison ministry include previous ministry experience through a job or volunteering and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. As a chaplain or another religious leader, you need excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the desire to help others who may have significant mental or moral struggles. Some positions require chaplains and ministers to have certification or ordainment through a nationally-recognized program. Program ministry directors need sufficient ministry experience plus a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in project management, business, or a related field. You can find these positions through churches or prison ministry organizations.