Ridgeland Correctional Institution (L2)
5 Correctional Road
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(803) 896-3200
Warden: Le Vern Cohen 803-896-3200 or 843-726-6888
Cohen.LeVern@doc.state.sc.us
Chaplains: Charles Pollack 803-896-3245 Pollack.Charles@doc.state.sc.us
Phillip Wren 803-896-3248 Wren.Phillip@doc.state.sc.us
Prison Population: 1300
Number Of Registered Catholics: 80
Catholic Clergyman: Fr. Oscar Borda 864-569-3175 osbor40@hotmail.com
Deacon Chuck Cooper 815-985-3637 ccooper3@roadrunner.com
Deacon Al Schito 843-540-7547 deaconal@sc.rr.com
Mass: Every Thursday Fr. Oscar Borda Rojas, Deacon Al Schito will be establishing a weekly Mass schedule every Thursday beginning July 12t, 2012 from 1:00-2:00PM )
Sacrament Offered: Penance and Holy Communion and other sacraments as the need arises.
Catholic Volunteer Instructors: Deacon Chuck Cooper 815-985-3636 and wife, Linda 815-985-3637, and Jeff Riggs 843-683-7500 (Spanish speaking Catholic) will be offering the same program in Spanish while the English program is being conducted. Deacon Chuck and Jeff play the guitar so the group will also have music to enhance the spiritual experience of their visits. Classes will begin this August 2012.
Programs Offered: An in-depth study of scripture and Catholic Teaching will be offered weekly by Deacon Chuck Cooper, Linda Cooper and Jeff Riggs beginning Tuesday. August 21, 2012. The program is written specifically for the spiritual and emotional needs of the incarcerated. The two-part series is entitled “God with Us” and “Reason for Hope”.
** St. Anthony’s Church hosted a Christmas dinner for the men in 2011 and will do so again in Dec. 2012.
Number Of Catholics Participating: 15-25
Rosary Prayer Time: None
Group Leader: None
Ministry’s Budget: The Beaufort County Catholic Churches have committed their financial support to Father Ocar. Therefore, the funds are available as needed.
Requested Items: The Charleston Diocesan Office of Prison Ministry has supplied the volunteer team lead by Deacon Chuck Cooper with a one year 6 book series which includes a 3 book Bible series and a 3 book RCIA series in Spanish and English. Also the Chaplain was give a case (30) New American Bibles for our Catholics as well.
2 Kairos Weekends Are Held Per Year. #4 was held in Spring 2012. 144 residents have made the Kairos Weekend. The Volunteer Coordinator is Joe Cartallero 843-846-8871. More than 100 men attend the monthly “REUNION” and 20 to 30 volunteers, primarily from the Episcopal Church, assist at these gatherings and on the weekends. Deacon Chuck Cooper from St. Frances by the Sea works the Kairos Weekend when possible.