Chaplain failed to avoid contact with inmates BY LARALYN SASAKI The Cincinnati Enquirer NEWPORT, Ky. — The slaying of counselor Retha Welch is a prime example of why jail chaplains are trained not to get too close to the inmates they comfort, officials who oversee jail ministry programs said Tuesday. “If they do (counsel outside the jail), it’s strictly on their own or under the auspices of another church,” said the Rev. Robert L. Cawman, director of chaplains who visit Hamilton County jails. Welch, an ordained minister and psychiat- ric nurse who counseled inmates in her home, participated in Hamilton County’s program until about a year ago, Cawman said. Welch, 54, was found dead in her Columbia Street apartment Monday by a co-worker who was concerned when she did not appear for work. Newport police said they did not know if Welch was sexually as- saulted. They initiated a search for the victim’s 1983 Cadillac before Covington police discovered the car at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of Third and Court streets in Covington. Campbell County Coroner Dr. Fred Stine said the autopsy report was not complete Tuesday, but initial findings were that Welch had been stabbed 24 times and slashed five times. He added she had been hit three times on the head with blows that “pulverized her skull.” Welch was widely known by her friends and fellow parishioners for sheltering former inmates in her home for days at a time, She was last heard from Thursday when she contacted her daughter in Newport before supposedly leaving to pick up an inmate being released from an Ohio facility. Tuesday, police would not say if they have any suspects. Because of the potential danger involved, Welch’s death is one of the main reasons, Cawman in- structs the 50 volunteer chaplains who visit Hamilton County jails not to give personal information tc inmates. “We encourage the chaplains te not get involved with the lives of the inmates.” he said. Cawman also oversees the Sun- day worship teams and Bible study groups manned by 32 churches on a rotating basis. The chaplains undergo a six- week training session, in which they find out “what they are going to be facing, what the jail is like and how to do counseling, in partic- ular with inmates,” Cawman said. The chaplains, whose anonymity is not ensured, are advised not tc disclose their addresses or to main- tain contact with former inmates. Campbell County Jailer Ear Ping said that for the past eigh! months Welch had been one o seven of ministering groups visit ing the jail. “That's probably had a real ef fect on the inmates down there (a the jail). If it helps one person ir there, it’s worth it.” However, he said he discourag es jail ministers from giving thei full names or addresses to inmates Ping said he never heard Welct invite inmates to her home fo: counseling. But Welch’s close friends saic the victim routinely opened he home to former inmates.