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Prison Inmates Lead Lutheran Congregation

SDPB Radio | By Kealey Bultena
Published January 4, 2016 at 12:58 PM CST
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Pastor Bob Chell sits with St. Dysmas church council members. The inmate leaders include Christopher, T.J., Travis, Josh, Dave, Justin, and Donnie.
Kealey Bultena / SDPB
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Christopher reads a devotion during the council meeting.
Kealey Bultena / SDPB
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The worship space at the SD State Penitentiary is available to groups of multiple faiths.
Kealey Bultena / SDPB

Some inmates at the state prison are working to uphold a standard of integrity despite living decades behind bars. The South Dakota State Penitentiary houses people who have committed heinous crimes. It’s also a place where inmates of many faiths can choose to worship.

A Lutheran congregation called St. Dysmas has more than 100 churchgoers in the 700-person prison. They elect council members, and those inmate leaders talk about forming community when their own actions keep them from being part of regular society.

SDPB’s Kealey Bultena had this discussion with church council members behind the walls. In order, she talks with Pastor Bob Chell and prisoners T.J., Josh, Christopher, Dave, Donnie, Travis, and Justin.

Credit Kealey Bultena / SDPB
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Crime & Courts PrisonCommunityLeadershipChurchInmatesSt. DysmasChristianityPrisonersFaith and ReligionSouth Dakota Department of Corrections
Kealey Bultena
Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).
See stories by Kealey Bultena