"Beauty is almost an alien concept in prison. A prisoner's world consists mostly of concrete, steel bars, an asphalt "yard" surrounded by a conrete wall and barbed razor wire. Classrooms are just as drab as the corridors. The one exception to this barren environment is our chapel. We consider it an oasis in the midst of hell. We have magnificent stained glass windows that were designed and made by an inmate in 1947 and recently releaded and cleaned by my chapel workers. Elegant altar cloths were made by another of my workers who used to be a fashion clothing designer. Every liturgical season has the appropriately colored altar cloths and matching accessories to drape the pulpit, credence and offertory tables and music stand, as well as to provide a backdrop for our life-size crucifix.
At Christmas time, we have a 9 foot Christmas tree, and the whole chapel is festooned with garland and colored lights. I'll never forget an old man who came into the chapel one day and asked if he could just touch the Christmas tree. He had been in prison for most of his life, and this was the first time he had seen a Christmas tree.
There is something about beauty that touches the soul and moves the heart. That is what makes it such an effective tool for ministering to broken people in prison".
-Father Ron, Prison Chaplain at Sing Sing Prison, NY