General News
12 February, 2026
Chaplains on special journey
IT takes a special type of person to enter a prison – by choice – to support convicted criminals.
Steve Chapman is a dedicated volunteer chaplain with Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy, which has had a presence inside Queensland correctional centres for more than 50 years.
The Innisfail resident is so driven to support men facing dark times in prison that he makes a four-hour round trip each week to do so.
Within two years months of release, around half of all prisoners will be back behind bars.
Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy aims to break this cycle through supporting men and women in prison to change their lives.
Steve and his brother Andrew are part of Inside Out's team of more than 40 volunteer pastoral carers who visit people inside prisons from Far North Queensland to the Gold Coast.
Steve has been a prison chaplain for a decade but admits the thought of going into a prison once “put a shiver up my spine”.
“My first recollection of going into the correctional centre was intense security of cameras and large iron gates,” he recalls.
“After some prayerful consideration I felt the Lord saying that, ‘Sometimes you may have to go outside your comfort zone to do my will.’
“I find it a privilege to be in a place where these guys can have a ‘safe place’ to unload, then to look and be ready to share the hope in Jesus Christ.
“The most gratifying moments are when you see the change in the countenance of those who find hope and peace in their hearts.”
Read More: Innisfail