Jeremy was born into a family that respected God, but it wasn't till he was 21 and at university that he really got serious with God.

"I had been going to churches because I was looking for relationship, friends, social connection," he admits.

"What I really found was family. This was a community of people who wouldn't normally mix but here they were all coming together and caring for each other. I remember coming home from church one night and it dawned on me how amazing Jesus is and how he calls me to live for him. Part of that call was to care for the needy. So, for 10 years, I helped out at a soup kitchen."

Jeremy finished his degree and worked as an engineer but he couldn't escape the questions about where it was all heading. He left work and enrolled in Bible college where he met his wife. When she was posted to Tamworth, Jeremy came too and was able to join the staff at St.

Peter's Church in Vera Street where he coordinates the children's program. When the opening at the gaol came up it seemed like God's call. So, every Tuesday Wednesday and Friday will see him at the centre ready to meet the residents and staff. It's a responsibility that he doesn't take lightly. A typical day starts with Jeremy carefully preparing himself in prayer. Then he will pick up a list of referrals.

There will be inmates and staff workers who have requested his help. He will prioritise them and then set about meeting with them. Tamworth Correctional Centre is divided into minimum security and security sections, so different procedures and protocols will come into play.

As Jeremy meets with people, he takes time to just sit and chat to get to know the person inside. As a prison chaplain, it is important to get to know where their faith is, in order to walk with sensitivity and respect. In such a climate of understanding, inmates find it easier to open up and talk honestly about their own beliefs and experiences. This may often lead to reading the Bible together or praying.

Ongoing relationships can be difficult because Tamworth is a remand centre, so people rarely stay more than 4 to 6 weeks but there are chaplains at other prisons and a good network of referrals to carry on the good work. Jeremy will also spend time with the officers and other staff, either in informal chat or more structured appointments.

There are other programs. Last Friday Jeremy officiated at the annual Correction Day ceremony.

Securing clothing for inmates is something else that Jeremy does. Many inmates arrive with only the clothes they were wearing at the time. Jeremy will find them something appropriate to wear for court appearance or release.

While it doesn't happen presently, Jeremy is also looking forward to spending time with the families of inmates and offering them support.