Overcrowded religious services may recieve help

Help may soon be on the way for over crowded religious services at Pender Correctional Institution.

Chaplain Jim Spiritosanto says he has to turn people away from worship services.

Sunday services are held in the prison’s visitation area, but there are more prisoners than chairs.

A local group hopes to raise money for a new prison chapel to address some of the space needs.

Pender Correctional Community Resource Council, a group of Onslow and Pender County residents, is spearheading the fundraising.

The proposed chapel would be housed next to the prison’s existing gym and would seat 200.