Advocates say more support is needed to expanded a replacement chaplaincy service in courts.

The Salvation Army decided last year to withdraw its paid chaplains, but encouraged them to volunteer their services.

The establishment of a new NSW Court Chaplains Association was spearheaded by criminal lawyer Greg Walsh, who is pleading with the government to sponsor an expansion of the program into regional communities – particularly those with large Indigenous populations.

“It’s not about religiosity or anything like that, it’s about positive compassion,” he told Ray Hadley.

“We’re trying to reduce the recidivism rate.”

Currently, the service is sponsored up to $86,000 by government, allowing chaplains to operate in only four Sydney courts – Downing Centre, Sutherland, Burwood and Parramatta.

“With the greatest of respect, it’s a pittance.”

Ray committed to pressing the new NSW Premier and Treasurer for a substantial increase to the funding.

“I’m going to embarrass them into giving more.”

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