Cook: The church of 10,000 inmates

The United States imprisons more of its own people than any other nation - democracy or not - on Earth. In 2013, more than 2 million people were locked up in local, state and federal prisons, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. (China? Around 1.65 million. Russia, less than a million.)

Two million? That's like a small nation. From coast to coast, this other America exists, full of inmates and prisoners, some on death row, others in solitary confinement, all serving time.

Who has their needs in mind?

Who comes to aid in their transformation?

In 1979, a group of local businessmen began meeting in prayer. Led by Roger Ingvalson, himself a prisoner of war during WWII, the men formed the Chattanooga Prison Fellowship, designed to love, honor, re-dignify and instruct men behind bars.

"Those within our community that were forgotten, ignored or removed from society, but needing to hear about the love of Jesus," they believed.

Later called the Chattanooga Prison Ministries, the organization is now known as Prison Prevention Ministries, and is alive and well, with nearly 150 volunteers counseling inmates in eight surrounding counties. Last year, around 4,000 prisoners participated in PPM's seminars, Bible studies or worship services.

Inmates interact with someone who refuses to define them by their worst act. PPM offers life skills. Bible studies. Anger management and stress reduction. How to forgive and receive forgiveness.

(Another beautiful example: This December, PPM will hold its 34th annual Christmas party for families and kids of inmates.)

"Over the past three years, we have reached over 10,000 inmates," said David Johnson, PPM's executive director.

Johnson says research shows recidivism rates are lower among inmates with access to faith-based services. Yet PPM doesn't only focus on inmates.

It reaches out to at-risk youth.

"Twenty years ago, you could identify at-risk kids by economic or social status. Those walls have been torn down. Because of social media, I don't know what kid isn't at risk. It doesn't matter if you go to Baylor or McCallie, or Howard or Brainerd," said Trell Watkins.

Watkins is the liaison between PPM and area schools. He's created programs for school audiences: Former gangbangers - male and female - come talk about their life on the streets, behind bars, and what transformed them into the whole person they are today.

It is both velvet and hammer, both scared straight and loving arms.

For kids whose grades are crumbling, or who've started wearing colors, or skipping school, Watkins befriends and surrounds them with wisdom and platitudes. ("Life is about choices," he likes to say. "Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future.")

He also takes kids on tours into area prisons, where they meet and listen to inmates, face to face. This is what prison feels like. Smells like. Sounds like. Don't come here. You don't want to be here.

Watkins works with 80 schools around the area. He's led thousands of kids on jail tours over the years, with at least 500 of them touring an all women's prison near Atlanta.

There, back in 2002, a guard asked him if he wanted to meet the only woman on death row in Georgia.

The kids said yes. Watkins said yes.

"We walked down this corridor, this hall, with rooms on the left and right side. At the end, there's a cage," Watkins said.

Inside that cage?

"Kelly," said Watkins.

It was Kelly Gissendaner.

Gissendaner was on Georgia's death row for plotting the murder of her husband Doug; over the years, she became the epitome of inmate transformation, known from here to the Vatican for her generosity, compassion and inner light.

Over the years, Watkins and Gissendaner became friends. He guesses he's brought probably 1,000 students to meet her. After one prison tour, one troubled student went home and changed her behavior, all because of Gissendaner.

"She went home, hugged her mom, told her mom how sorry she was for how she treated her, all because she'd met this lady on death row."

Isn't that the point of things? To change behavior, for all of us - imprisoned or free - to draw nearer to a gentle, open-armed life? PPM started a new crowdfunded Indiegogo campaign, hoping to raise money in order to spread their youth programs into even more schools and counties.

They also welcome more volunteers.

Or help with their Christmas party.

Within this nation of prisoners, there is a vast need. Within the church of 10,000 inmates, there is always a place to find freedom.

Contact David Cook at dcook@times freepress.com or 423-757-6329. Follow him on Facebook at DavidCookTFP.