Watch the Full Webinar Here:
March 19, 2024 – Noon (Pacific)
In the landscape of criminal justice and the death penalty, few narratives pierce the heart and stir the soul as profoundly as those told by individuals who’ve stood alongside the condemned. This webinar, hosted by Death Penalty Focus (DPF) Board President Mike Farrell, was a testament to such narratives, shining a spotlight on the harrowing yet deeply touching journey of Rev. Joe Ingle.
For 45 years, Rev. Ingle has been a beacon of hope and solace in the darkest corners of our criminal justice system. His ministry has not been for the faint of heart; it has been a spiritual odyssey, traversing the turbulent emotions surrounding the modern day barbarism known as capital punishment; the death penalty. Through his compassionate presence, Rev. Ingle has offered a sliver of light in the pitch-black moments leading up to executions for countless condemned souls.
In an hour-long conversation moderated by Mike Farrell, a longtime friend of Rev. Ingle, attendees were given the privilege of delving into the pages of Ingle’s life and work as documented in his recent book, “Too Close to the Flame.” This book is not merely a collection of stories but a sacred window into the profound human connections forged on death row. A poignant exploration into the role of spiritual advisors within the penal system, underscoring the devastating psychological toll exacted on all who are touched by the machinery of death. Rev. Ingle’s tortured journey of service reminds us that within the world’s harshest environments, the human spirit’s capacity for compassion and resilience still flourishes even as it bears witness to the darkest of man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man.
For those moved by the webinar and wishing to delve deeper into Rev. Ingle’s experiences and reflections, his new book, “Too Close to the Flame” offers a rarefied glimpse into the heart and soul of a man who has stood as a figure of strength and love in the face of systematic finality. It’s a narrative that challenges us, comforts us, and urges us to look beyond the black-and-white of law to find the human hues of grace, forgiveness, and redemption. It is an essential read. For those interested in acquiring a copy, links to purchase “Too Close to the Flame” are included. Additionally, further resources on the role of spiritual advisors in prisons and the impact of capital punishment are accessible on this page.
Links to the book and additional resources are provided for those seeking further information and insight into the topics discussed during the webinar.
Additional Resources:
Books
“Too Close To The Flame: With the Condemned inside the Southern Killing Machine”
- Author: Joseph B. Ingle
- Overview: An intense journey with Rev. Joseph Ingle, providing a raw look into the lives of death row inmates in the South.
- Get the Book
“Crossing The River Styx: The Memoir of a Death Row Chaplain”
- Author: Russ Ford, Charles Peppers, Todd C. Peppers
- Overview: A compelling memoir offering perspectives from those who’ve walked alongside the condemned.
- Get the Book
“Death Row Welcomes You: Visiting Hours in the Shadow of the Execution Chamber”
- Author: Steven Hale
- Overview: An exploration of the poignant human moments within the confines of death row.
- Get the Book
“He Called Me Sister: A True Story of Finding Humanity on Death Row”
- Author: Suzanne Craig Robertson
- Overview: Deeply poignant and astonishingly personal, this “moving story of a death in Tennessee” (Bill Moyers) shows hope can endure, grace can redeem, and humanity can exist―even in the darkest of places
- Get the Book
On The Web
- Publication: The New York Times
- Author: Emma Goldberg. Photographs by Desiree Rios
- Overview: “Devin Moss spent a year ministering to convicted killer Phillip Hancock. Together, they wrestled with one question: How to face death without God.”
- Read the Article
