Prison chapel celebration evokes praise, hope for inmates

“It is official now – God’s work is done.”

Thus spoke Texas Department of Criminal Justice Chaplain Richard Cartwright during the ceremony dedicated to opening the new non-profit Joseph’s Hammer Chapel June 13 at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Ellen Halbert Unit for Women in Burnet at 800 Ellen Halbert Drive.

Spontaneous shouts of “Praise God!” erupted from the audience after the remark by Cartwright, which he uttered before more than 250 attendees inside the main room of the new facility, which spreads over 8,000 square feet behind razor-wire.