News & Events
WE ARE HIRING! The Position for chaplain for the La Crosse Jail Ministry is open for applicants. If you know of someone who might be interested, please share the following position announcement with them.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT-CHAPLAIN
The La Crosse County Jail Chaplain provides pastoral care to women and men incarcerated in the La Crosse County jail. The chaplain organizes all services and studies, provides spiritual material, and works to connect people to their faith communities. The chaplain is the face of the ministry and the first point of contact with the public. The jail chaplain is a professional, with specialized training in the unique dynamics of the corrections world. The chaplain serves in the jail at the invitation of jail administration.
EDUCATION
Required
High school diploma or equivalency
Bachelor’s degree or successful completion of chaplain or ministry training or equivalent
Desired
Chaplain certification or degree
Mental Health First Aid
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: Three years’ ministry or chaplaincy experience or equivalent
Desired: Ministry or chaplaincy experience or equivalent working with corrections involved individuals
Ordained or commissioned to function in ministry by an appropriate religious authority
Current faith group endorsement
Compensation
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Commensurate with experience and education
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18 days of personal time off and 10 holidays
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Additional time for continuing education
If you have additional questions, please contact vicepresident@lacrossejailministry.org , Hiring Committee Chair. See the job description posted on this page.
Candidates should submit:
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Letter of application, detailing interest in the position;
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A copy of their resume;
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Three letters of recommendation along with names and telephone numbers of the professional references; and
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Current faith group endorsement from religious authority.
E-mail application materials by July 18, 2025 to: vicepresident@lacrossejailministry.org.
Screening will begin on July 25, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our newsletter either by print or email, send your contact information (address or email address) to Chaplain@lacrossejailministry.org. To read our previous newsletters, see the links below.
The La Crosse Jail Ministry would like to thank the following businesses and people for donating to our Bake Sale and Raffle. We are grateful to the many bakers that donated as well. Thanks to your generosity and the generosity of our community we were able to earn 928 dollars!
Bluebird Bakery and Cafe
Marcus Theatres
Pizza King
Tequillia’s
Tlyn E Spa
Ann Garity
Annette Yoshizumi
Charlene Holler
Lisa Butterfield
Sister Nina Shephard
Bath Fixer
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Donation
We would like to thank the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for the gift of $10,000 to be used to provide the residents of the La Crosse County jail with materials, haircuts, beard trims, games, and spiritual books over the next year. We are so grateful. They have truly been a champion of our ministry.
First Congregational Church, UCC La Crosse
We would like to thank them for a $2000 grant that will be used to provide hygiene and other supplies for the residents of the La Crosse County Jail. It will also be used to provide games and puzzles.
Mayo Foundation
We would like to thank Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research for a gift of $500.00 to help with resident supplies this December. Thank you!
Jail Ministry Newsletters
- Winter 2025
- Fall 2024
- Summer 2024
- Winter 2024
- Fall 2023
- Spring 2023
- Winter 2023
- Fall 2022
- Summer 2022
- Winter 2022
- Fall 2021
- Summer 2021
- Fall 2020
- Fall 2019
- Spring 2019
- Fall 2018
- Spring 2018
- Fall 2017
- Spring 2017
- Spring 2016
- Winter 2013
Media / In The News
- Saturday Bake Sale to Support Jail Ministry
- La Crosse Jail Ministry volunteers honored at breakfast | Local News | news8000.com
- First annual La Crosse Jail Ministry appreciation breakfast | News | wxow.com
- RESEARCH REPORT: Reducing recidivism through faith-based prison programs
- La Crosse Jail Ministry reaching out for volunteers and donations (March 2023)
- Jail ministry touching lives for decades (February 2022)
- Channel 19 News - La Crosse man says jail ministry changed his life for the better (February 2022)
- Channel 19 News - La Crosse's Jail Chaplain connects inmates to faith community (February 2022)
- Coulee Region Women's Article on Ann Wales (October/November 2021)
- Channel 19 News - Jail Ministry Bring Faith Behind Bars (December, 2018)
- Channel 19 - Jail Ministry Needs Funding (December, 2018)
- WLSU Interview with Chaplain Tom Skemp October 2008

In-Kind Supporters
The following have provided in-kind support:
- Klint Wales
- Scott Neader
- Dan Wiese
- Rev. Park Hunter
- Scott Curtis
- Western Wisconsin Technical College
- La Crosse County Library
- Winding Rivers Library System
- Web Cupcake
