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When Laverne Champion, white-haired and in her 80s, is closed into a room with dozens of tattooed and muscled inmates, it seems she would be intimidated.

But she's not. She's with the Calhoun County Jail Ministries, and has been spreading the word of God to prisoners for 49 years. In all that time, she said, she has "never been talked to ugly," let alone anything more serious.

Sheriff Larry Amerson said he knows of no incidents happening to the ministers during his 33 years at the department.

It's not a cell block filled with silent converts when the minister arrives — the television, card games and chatter continue as the ministers move in and begin their services.

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Slideshow: Calhoun County Jail Ministries View photos of Laverne Champion and Shawn Mason of Calhoun County Jail Ministries as they lead local inmates in Bible study.

The ministers ignored the clatter of dominoes on Thursday night, and the television only provoked a response from Champion when it got too loud to talk over.

Then she asked the men to turn it down, which they did without complaint.

Within moments, she was back, ministering to men who sat cross-legged on bunks or crowded around a metal table.

Even when some of her listeners were called away to receive routine medication, Champion kept preaching. They returned quietly after taking their pills.

She had the advantage of being in a small, comparatively quiet area.

Minister coordinator Shawn Mason worked a larger, noisier block. He had to be louder — not to force others to hear him, he said, but so those who wanted to listen could.

The ministers try to be as inclusive as possible. When Champion's time came to a close Thursday, and the listeners drew into a prayer circle, she called on two men who had leaning on the wall and listening to join in. They did, and joined hands with a dozen other men for five minutes as she led them in prayer.

Inmate Tim Epperson of Anniston had been through three parts of the jail before he was transferred to the block where Champion preached. He said there were a few weeks when no ministers visited, and it was hard not having anyone from the ministry in the cell.

He and other inmates have increased their own religious involvement, holding daily Bible studies and nightly prayer calls, he said.

Inmates like this help spread the faith, Mason said.

The ministers are not starry-eyed idealists, convinced that the inmates are there unfairly. Mason said that while he was sure there were a few innocent people in the jail, the vast majority are criminals.

Champion was more direct with her listeners, saying "you're put here for a reason." God sent the inmates to jail to help them sort their lives out, she said.

It's impossible to hear God while partying, she said.

Mason said there has been some recidivism among the people who leave and were saved. Some only accepted Jesus Christ in hopes of early release, he said, while others don't get the spiritual support they need after they leave the jail.

Dale Wilson, an inmate from Anniston, said he feels the Lord's presence when he studies the Bible with the other inmates. Any time he has trouble understanding what he reads, Champion will talk on that issue the upcoming week.

"It's like someone told me what to read," he said.

For Champion and Ernestine Moss, a 17-year veteran, coming to the jail is a calling.

Moss said she couldn't avoid coming even if she wanted to.