Inmates, guards mark Ash Wednesday at Lake County jail

Faith brought together inmates and correctional officers at the Lake County jail on Wednesday as members of both groups marked Ash Wednesday behind the facility's locked doors.

Jail Chaplain Pedro Martinez led the services, blessing each worshipper and making a cross on their foreheads with the black ashes.

Martinez, a deacon at Most Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Waukegan, and worship volunteer Jesus Rodriguez went from floor to floor in each jail housing unit to distribute ashes and pray with inmates.

"When they see us they really rejoice," Martinez said after placing ashes on the forehead of Lake County Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. "They really rejoice that God is keeping an eye on them so that they can change their life, and they are really grateful when they see us."

G. Mark McCorley, inmate program manager, said Martinez also distributed ashes to the Lake County sheriff's office staff over the 2.5-hour service.

"I've been a part of the sheriff's office for about 10 years, and they've been doing it since I started," McCorley said.

McCorley said a Catholic prayer service takes place in the jail library every Sunday morning, and a Protestant service is held every Sunday night.

"They say that as you pray, the prayers go up and blessings come down, so I believe in the Father. I am very excited," inmate Jameela Massie of North Chicago said after receiving ashes Wednesday.