By Lauren Harksen
Published: Jun. 10, 2024 at 8:44 AM CDT
WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - A new program outside the Walker County Jail is changing the atmosphere inside the building.
Some inmates say they’re feeling inspired to change their lives around because they can now attend church services on Sundays in person.
“I mean, people do change but they’ve got to have the will to want to change,” said Emily Smith, the wife of Derio Deshaun Smith. ”He’s had the will to change and I see it and it’s so good.”
Derio Deshaun Smith was booked into the Walker County Jail in March of 2023. He recently became a trusty of the jail and is one of dozens who attend church services on Sunday.
“If you really want rehabilitation and for it to work like it’s supposed to work, you have to give somebody an opportunity,” said Daniel Thomas, another inmate of the jail.
The newest opportunity for those incarcerated: Sheriff Nick Smith allowing them to leave their jail cell and enter a house of worship.
“I think that this is how we change Walker County,,” said the sheriff. “Several months ago, just happened to come through the jail one of those Sunday mornings and a couple of the MPs, that’s what we call trusties, asked about an opportunity to go to church.”
Sheriff Smith says it started with bringing five inmates to his home church Living Light Church of God in Jasper. Now they bring dozens every Sunday.
Though they must remain shackled and in their jail uniforms, tons of inmates sign up to attend services. Authorities bring around 40 people in three separate vans to the church every week.
Many attendees saying the outings have brought people closer together and changed them as people.
“It’s easy to get lost in institutions and jails and forget about the outside,” said Thomas. “But being able to get out there and see it, it raises your spirits up and gives you motivation and incentive -- something to look forward to every week.”
The sheriff says the main goal of the new program is real rehabilitation: “Ultimately what we want to try to do is break those cycles and break the cycle of addiction and break generational curses and things of that nature... show people that there is a different way of life.”
All inmates WBRC spoke with said the atmosphere of the jail feels different now.
“I’ve never seen it like this, ever,” said Breanna Lay.
“A while back, this jail used to be -- there were people going to the hospital everyday,” explained Smith. “It wasn’t because of medical stuff or nothing. It’s because inmates were fighting, stabbing and stuff like that but now the sheriff got so many programs and so much stuff going on in the jail now where none of that really goes on. People trying to become a trustee, people trying to go spend time with their families and stuff so they’re trying to do the right thing.”
The services are helping inmates build connections outside the jail with old faces and new faces. They’re able to meet and mingle with other church members, as well as invite their own family and friends to worship alongside them.
“It has made my bond stronger with my kids,” said Steven Dejesus.
“I’ve built a relationship back with my dad,” said Lay.
“I met a dude up there,” said Thomas. ”He is actually a professor at Cambridge University and he’s going to help me get into college when I get out to do computer programming.”
These very relationships with each other, with the church, and with the Lord, inspiring them to do and strive for more.
“It’s opened my eyes, you know?” shared Lay. “I’ve got my beliefs back and it’s helping so much.”
“It’s really unspeakable,” said Dejesus. “I ain’t got words to say how grateful I really am for it. I’m just blessed.”
“God can change everything because I feel like he’s changed me,” said Smith.
“A guy went to the altar, and came back and I said, ‘I’m proud of you,’” said Sheriff Smith. “But just the look in his eyes... showed that’s how you make change.”
On Sunday, the sheriff said 63 inmates attended service with him, along with more than 30 of their family members. He said no matter their background or life situation, 335 people were in the pews, praising and worshipping together.
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