Jocelynn James spreads peace at Franklin jail

Peace is a common theme emphasized during the Christmas season, and Jocelynn James has made it her mission since 2013 to promote peace and recovery to the women in the Franklin County Jail. This is the sixth year James will be spending Christmas Day at the jail with the female inmates, and it is a special one.

“This is the first year the community has gotten involved,” James said.

After James made a post on Facebook about her mission, 47 people stepped forward and donated items and money to help make it possible this year. The donated items include necessities like shampoo, conditioner, socks, towels, wash cloths, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, stamped envelopes and paper. New to the donations this year will be Bibles and Christian literature.

“I’m excited for those. I know what it meant to me when I was in there,” James said.

James started this mission work after she was released from jail in 2013 after years of battling a drug addiction.

“I want them to know that they are enough for God,” James said. “I’ve been there. I understand, but you can come out of it.”

When she arrives on Christmas morning, James starts the day off with praise and worship. The women then read the story of Jesus Christ’s birth from the book of Luke in the Bible. James spends the whole day with the inmates, talking and fellowshipping and eating lunch and supper with them.

James’ children even get involved. They used to color pictures, but now they write letters to the inmates.

“It means a lot to the women. A lot of them have children of their own,” she said.