About Polk County Jail Ministries
Since 1981, Polk County Jail Ministries has brought the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those incarcerated at Polk County Jail, along with the Polk County Sheriff's Office staff of approximately 600. We serve the Jail, Administrative Office, Courthouse, Justice Center, and Patrol and Dispatch offices. Polk County Jail Ministries has one full-time chaplain and is governed by a board of directors.
Upon request, our chaplain and volunteers counsel people one-on-one and host Bible studies for men and women. We also have a volunteer-run book cart ministry featuring Christian fiction and non-fiction that is very popular with the inmates. Most importantly, we encourage people to read their Bibles and to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word.
Iowa's recidivism rate is over 37% within the first three years after release and up to 70% overall; however, among those who experience the transforming power of the Gospel of Christ, only 6% return to prison or jail. Meet some of those who met Jesus in jail by clicking here.
Once out of jail, we encourage people to attend a Bible-teaching church and commit to finding a mentor to help keep them accountable. Our Discipleship Outreach Center in east Des Moines provides opportunities for personal discipleship for those getting out of jail. We want to make disciples who make disciples.
Meet Chaplain Jerry Van Cleave
Polk County Jail Chaplain
God placed a call upon Jerry's life in June of 2005 to be the chaplain of the Polk County Jail. He has been uniquely prepared to be a missionary in this ministry. Most recently, Jerry was on the staff of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, a faith-based ministry to the incarcerated started by Chuck Colson and served the incarcerated at the Newton Correctional Facility. This experience gave Jerry invaluable experience as he serves at Polk County Jail. Before answering the call to serve in prison ministry, Jerry was involved in men's ministry, teaching, and pastoring at a large church in Des Moines.