Sept. 23, 2026

By Keith Benman
Contributing Writer

Mike R. Neaton clearly remembers the day one young man with a particularly dark demeanor walked into his Tuesday afternoon chapel service at the St. Lawrence County Jail in Canton. The young inmate, awaiting trial, even had one of those pointy goatees like the devil is often portrayed with in art and film.

And he told Neaton right off, “What I worship is Satan.”

Neaton told him that was interesting, but it seemed if he was coming to chapel service for the first time, so he must be on a road where he knew he had to change his ways. The young man thought about that. He thought about it a lot in the weeks that followed.

He became a regular at chapel services and, after a while, Neaton could see the young inmate was becoming filled with the Holy Spirit. He was convicted at his trial, but when he was shipped off to state prison, the young man went with a Bible in his hands.

“He was determined to do good things, even in prison,” Neaton said.

Neaton, retired from the New York State Police, says there are few things in life as rewarding as seeing someone turn their heart over to Jesus in jail and determined to change their ways.

Deacon Donald J. Wilder, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Watertown, conducts chapel services at the Jefferson County Jail. He served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, drove a truck for a living and followed a couple other occupations. But Deacon Wilder says prison ministry, 10 years as a paid chaplain in the state prisons and now volunteering at the Jefferson County jail, is the most rewarding of all the jobs he’s done.

“They realize they have to make a change in their life and have to turn to something larger than themselves and they turn to Christ,” Deacon Wilder said.

Chapel services usually consist of prayer, a scripture reading, maybe a homily and then open discussion when time allows.

Of course, it’s only some inmates that give their hearts over to Christ. And Deacon Wilder said he realizes having their acceptance of Christ stick is the hardest part, especially once they are no longer incarcerated.

“I promote the need to find a church when they get out,” he said.

Gary M. Balaban Jr. has been assisting Neaton in his ministry at the St. Lawrence County jail for more than a year. Unlike Neaton and Wilder, Balaban doesn’t have a background in prisons or criminal justice.

He says he was answering a call, both one spiritual and one personal from his pastor. His pastor knew Neaton was looking for someone to assist him and thought Balaban would be a good fit.

He eventually signed up and says he’s glad he did. Even on days when he might be feeling down, he comes out of the jail chapel sessions feeling energized and full of the spirit, he said.

Neaton says he was called while reflecting on his Faith during Cursillo gatherings. In particular it was Christ’s words, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

No one would accuse any of the jail ministers of having an unrealistic view of inmates or prison life. Neaton was a state trooper for 32 years, much of it spent investigating serious crimes. Baliban has family members who spent time in jail. Deacon Wilder has worked as a jail corrections officer and in the state prisons as a chaplain.

All are unequivocal about the need for – and the rewards of – ministry in the county jails.

County jail ministers know they only have a limited time to work with inmates. People are remanded to county jail for sentences of less than one year. Others are kept there while awaiting trial, sometimes for serious felonies. Those inmates are sent off to state prison if and when they’re convicted and sentenced.

“Someday, they are going to be back in the community,” Neaton said. “So, I feel I’ve served more than one purpose. They’ll be kinder and love Christ more, and maybe not harm others once they’re out.”

Neaton said Bishop Terry R. LaValley and Diocesan Chancellor Deacon James D. Crowley, who is also state prison ministry coordinator, were enthusiastic about him taking up jail ministry.

Right now, the St. Lawrence County Jail and the Jefferson County jail appear to be the only ones with Catholic chapel services on a regular basis, Crowley said. But the diocese would welcome anyone else with the motivation and attitude it takes to go into the other five county jails within the diocese.

He cites the same Gospel passage as Neaton in making the case for the program.

“It’s not something we’re making up,” Deacon Crowley said. “It’s in scripture.”

The jail ministers would like to see all county jails in the diocese served by Catholic ministers.

“I hope people will read about what we’re doing and realize: ‘Gee, there’s something I can do to help out there,’” Deacon Wilder said.