"This book tells the story of how God's love provides a refuge in whatever hell a person may be experiencing. My prayer is that this story about the love of God for prisoners may help the readers of this book find that same oasis in their own lives."

This is the story of an unusual parish - drawn from the inmates of Sing Sing Prison - told by their chaplain of sixteen years. Unsparing in his treatment of the brutalities of prison life, Fr. Lemmert chronicles the stories of the prisoners he served, revealing their humanity, and showing that there is no place so dark that God's love cannot be found.

Fr. Lemmert's ministry began with the project of rebuilding the long-neglected prison chapel. By enlisting the prisoners' help, they were also gradually transformed. Refuge in Hell describes how a caring community can emerge, as the practice of faith leads to deeper lessons in forgiveness, reconciliation, and liberation.