Coal Township Inmate Art Show Director Meet and Greet
Come and meet Hank Barber, the director of the The Prison Ministry and Mentoring program at The State Correction Institute at Coal Township, whose art is on display June 7-July 17, 2026. Come and hear about the men in the program and why this program works so well, while enjoying the work of the eight featured artists.
This Prison Ministry started 20 years ago with a letter sent to Hopewell United Methodist Church, Hank Barber’s home church, in Downingtown, PA. One of the pastors approached Hank to answer a letter from an inmate at Coal Township State Correction Institute. Hank prayed on it and accepted the challenge the next day, a choice that he has never regretted.
The ministry has since had a profound effect on Hank. “I can still remember my first visit as if it were yesterday. After seeing inmates with their mothers, fathers, wives, girlfriends, and children, I stopped in the middle of a very long hallway.” He was struck by the realization, “these men, other than a bad decision, were no different than me. I looked up and thanked God for this opportunity and helping me to be much less judgmental.”
Today, the ministry includes 23 men inside Coal Township. There are an additional 14 men who’ve been released and remain in the ministry. Four of the released men have joined Hank in the Ministry and Mentoring Program. The recidivism rate (rate of people returning to prison after incarceration) of ministry participants, so far, is 0%. The recidivism rate in Pennsylvania within 3 years from release is 67%.
While asking about a daily routine nine years ago, one of the inmates talked about painting. This sparked Hank’s idea for the Prison Ministry Art Show concept, which St. David’s has joyously embraced. The original thought process was to give back all the proceeds to the Inmate Artists as they only make $0.35 per hour in their jobs but must pay full price for their supplies. The surprising response to this idea brought Hank to tears: “I was told no to that concept and when I asked why, the artists insisted on the churches getting some of the monies due to the fact the Artists wanted to have a sense of worth and a connection to the outside world they do not get while incarcerated.”
Hank is grateful for our participation in the Coal Township Prison Ministry and Mentoring program. “Thank you St. David’s for caring about these men and giving them an opportunity to display their artwork in your gallery.”