The beginnings of Correctional Centres Chaplaincy Assoc. Inc., formerly known as Prisons Mission Association Queensland.
In June 1973 the Baptist Union of Queensland began a full-time chaplaincy program under the leadership of Rev. Ray Euston, who also associated the ministry of voluntary workers in provincial prisons, and teams of voluntary workers operating in Brisbane and the provincial areas. This arrangement continued until the end of 1978, when the Baptist Union was unable to support a full-time chaplain.
Fellow-workers stood with Rev. Euston to seek to continue the chaplaincy full time, and they sought guidance in concerted prayer and were led by God in setting up an independent and non-denominational organisation from 12 December 1978. Thus the same integrated chaplaincy throughout the state was carried on as usual from January 1979 under the auspices of Prisons Mission Association Queensland (PMAQ).
The Provisional Committee / Foundation Members of the new organisation were Mr F. Cecil Leggett and Mrs Essie Leggett, Rev. Bob Stewart, Rev. Ray Euston and Mrs Thora Euston, Messrs John Walker, Russ Wilson, Les Kay, David Urquhart, Arnold Overend, Ray Overend and Mrs Patty Overend.
The Inaugural Meeting of PMAQ was held on 6 March 1979 in the Baptist City Tabernacle hall in Brisbane with 150 guests present at the buffet dinner and rally.
Workers associated with PMAQ and its Coordinating Chaplain Rev. Ray Euston in the days of its beginnings were: Pastor Dick Donaldson (and team) at Rockhampton, Mr Dennis Crooks at Townsville, Rev. Bob Stewart, Messrs Cecil Leggett, Les Kay, David Urquhart, Rev. Sid Quick, and Mrs Joyce Tainton (Women’s Prison chaplain), besides Mrs Euston and several faithful helpers as musicians. Messrs John Walker and Russell Wilson were farewelled as team members at the March 1979 inaugural meeting, though John joined the team later for a period.
The First Committee of Management members from Jaunary 1979 were: Mr Cecil Leggett (Chairman), Rev. Bob Stewart (Deputy Chairman), Mrs Essie Leggett (Treasurer), Mrs Thora Euston, Messrs Les Kay, David Urquhart, Russell Wilson and Arnold Overend, Rev. Sid Quick and Rev. Ray Euston (Coordinating Chaplain) as Acting Secretary. In April 1982 Mr Keith Smith offered his services as Secretary to the Association (serving till March 1998).
“The Inside Story” began in February 1979 as the prayer and news bulletin of PMAQ, and that first issue announced that sixty people had already joined the fledgling organisation as members. After 33 years, each edition of this bi-monthly news bulletin is printed for a readership of 3500 and the Association now has a membership of nearly 400.
The Coordinating Chaplaincy. Rev. Ray Euston retired at the end of August 1984. Mr Lance Foley succeeded to the position until the end of June 1986. Pastor Ashton Lehmann served in an acting capactity until October 1988. Mr Phillip Macquire was in the position from October 1988 to the end of July 1995.
A Director was appointed for the work in 1996. Mr John Tucker became the first Director, from February 1996 to September 1997 inclusive, but served on in an honorary capacity until Rev. George Stubbs, who was appointed from 2 February 1998. George was succeeded by Rev. John Walker in 2006, who oversaw the operations of CCC and undertook a number of initiatives during his tenure. With John’s retirement in August 2011, Mr Jesse Caulfield was appointed Director, commencing in September 2011 and continuing until January 2018. Mr Greg Murphy held the position from April 2018 to September 2019, then Mr Myles Waldron took on the role.
1994 – Name changed to CCC.
The 11th Annual General Meeting on 23 February 1990 voted to change the name of Prisons Mission Assocation Queensland to CORRECTIONAL CENTRES CHAPLAINCY. Then on 12 December 1994 (16 years to the day from the founding of Prisons Mission Association Queensland!) this chaplaincy organisation was granted recognition as an incorporated association. Thus the organisation is known officially as CORRECTIONAL CENTRES CHAPLAINCY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED.
2008 – Operating name changed to IOC.
In 2008 CCC rebranded with the operational name of Inside Out Chaplaincy – to better reflect the nature of the ministry, and also provide a clear delineation between Queensland Corrective Services and IOC. This operational name change was ratified in the Annual General Meeting.
2016 – Becoming a part of Carinity.
In July 2016 Inside Out Chaplaincy formally joined Carinity, formerly known as Queensland Baptist Care, an outreach of Queensland Baptists. Now called Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy, the organisation is based at the Carinity head office in Gaythorne, Brisbane.
Long-serving Voluntary Workers. Long years of faithful service by volunteers has been a notable feature of our chaplaincy team members, 19 of whom have averaged 10 years each. Notable among those giving long service have been:
- Les Kay (23 years)
- Ed Peapell (20 years)
- John Gray (20 years)
- John Abernathy (14 years)
- Arthur McDonald (30 years)
- Dick Connolly (13 years)
- Dennis Crooks (10 years)
- Bruce Gynther (10 years)
and our lady chaplains:
- Mrs Joyce Tainton (8 years)
- Dr Ruth Hayes (8 years)
- Mrs Mavis Cromack (9 years).
Sadly, death cut short the ministry of serving chaplains Dr Ruth Hayes and Mr Glen Challenor.
The Duty Chaplaincy Plan.
In Queensland a prison chaplaincy scheme has been adopted whereby the various service providers – and IOC is one of them – have undertaken to supply a chaplain on a regular day each week to the major Correctional Centres, at a ratio of approximately one chaplain to 300 prisoners. Chaplains are subject to security clearance and custodial awareness training by the Corrective Services Department before being authorised. In their very responsible role within the correctional centres IOC workers have acquitted themselves well, and have the reputation of being regularly and reliably on the job on their duty day.
The Duty Chaplaincy plan was first begun at Brisbane Prison in November 1986, and was gradually extended to Townsville, (November 1987), Brisbane Women’s (January 1988), Wacol and Woodford prisons (July 1988), and Lotus Glen, Rockhampton, Borallon, Sir David Longlands and Moreton B Correctional Centres at the beginning of 1990. The Arthur Gorrie Centre at Wacol was commissioned in 1992 (replacing Brisbane Correctional Centre), and hitherto entered into the scheme. Palen Creek and Numinbah Correctional Centres came under the scheme in September 1994, Darling Downs (Westbrook) Correctional Centre in December the same year, the refurbished Woodford Correctional Centre in March 1997 and Wolston Correctional Centre in June 1999. Moreton B Correctional Centre was closed in the late 1990s, as was Sir David Longlands in 2006 (re-opening as Brisbane Correctional Centre in 2008), and Borallon in 2011, with the new Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (near Gatton) being commissioned in January 2012.
A growing Work and a Growing Challenge! Since its commencement 33 years ago this Association has sought to keep step with the gradually increasing challenge. Whereas we then sought to serve in a correctional system of eight facilities that housed about 1,200 prisoners, today this organisation has workers in 14 Correctional Centres around Queensland, ministering to over 5500 prisoners. The Inside Out Connec†ion Program continues to grow also, as ex-prisoners are given Christian support upon their release, resulting in continued change and personal growth.