Chaplaincy Program

HOPE Chaplaincy at the Allegheny County Jail

The Foundation of HOPE provides Chaplaincy services in the Allegheny County Jail. If you need to speak to a Chaplain at the ACJ, please call 412-350-2057.

The HOPE Chaplaincy Program in the Allegheny County Jail provides pastoral care, charity, worship, religious education, religious programming and other support services for incarcerated individuals of all faiths. Faith groups receiving services include, but are not limited to Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Buddhists and Native Americans.

Our volunteer and paid chaplains visit incarcerated individuals on all pods, offering the opportunity for vital spiritual and emotional support. The Chaplain’s Office oversees more than 25 worship services and 35 scripture/catechism studies per week for incarcerated individuals of a variety of faiths, including those in mental health and restricted housing units. Volunteers for the HOPE Chaplaincy Program contribute more than 13,000 volunteer hours per year.

The program receives up to 2,500 requests per month for Bibles and other scriptures, visitation, care packages for indigent individuals, reading glasses, spiritual reading material and other resources.

The Chaplaincy Program supports incarcerated individuals through:

  • Worship services
  • Religious instruction classes
  • One-on-one counseling
  • Grief counseling when a family member dies
  • Care packages for basic inmate hygiene need
  • Special holiday events and celebrations
  • Referrals to available services

To learn more about HOPE Chaplaincy or to become a volunteer, please visit the Foundation of HOPE website.

Pre-Release and Aftercare Services

The Foundation of HOPE also provides Pre-Release and Aftercare Services for the Allegheny County Jail.

Back to top