What I Learned in Prison

Adelaide Gaol #dailyshoot by Les Haines, on Flickr

It has been 47 years since I was in prison to visit my favorite cousin, Chucky. We talked for about an hour. He was young, good looking and smart.  After he got out, he went back to drugs and later threw himself off a bridge. The last time I saw him was in a photograph at his memorial service. I hoped I would never have to face such tragedy again.

Yesterday I Went to Prison Again

Our church has three campuses, one of which is in a men’s prison. Every week there is a live worship service with a video sermon in the chapel plus 11 study groups in dorms. Every day there are classes in which inmates teach inmates about character development, spiritual formation and life skills.  Every month, there are baptisms for new believers.

But there is no job readiness program to help men transition from prison to society.

Yesterday, a couple of us from church went to learn from inmates what they want and need.  The first hour we visited the chaplain and two inmate assistants.  The next hour we met with a dozen study group leaders and learned about their backgrounds, challenges and hopes.  The last two hours were spent with 15-20 inmate leaders, three of whom presented programs, classes and mentoring to prepare men for release.  It was a great time of sharing, brainstorming and Q&A. We finished with a brief presentation of what we learned and a seven-step process to help them find jobs on the outside.

The Door from Yard to Street

Here is some of what I think I learned:

The number one thing most inmates want when they get out is a good job.  Their number one need in and out of prison is Jesus.  If they find Jesus and spiritual freedom in prison, then their chances of success on the outside increase.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm… Galatians 5:1

Programs and processes must offer not just relief, rehabilitation and development, but also regeneration with a faith-based, Christ-centered approach to their whole life that includes the high-five felt needs:  family, friends, health, wealth and work.

Knowing Jesus, however, is no guarantee of a good job.  It takes individual responsibility and discipline; training, resources and support; and employers who are willing to hire candidates with good prison records.

Employers are looking for candidates with character and competence to contribute to the mission and sustainability of their organizations.  How great would it be to prepare inmates as good candidates for employers with good jobs?

Big Problem and Opportunity

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics 2,266,800 adults were incarcerated in U.S. federal and state prisons, and county jails at year-end 2011 – about 0.94% of adults in the U.S. resident population.  In total, 6,977,700 adults were under correctional supervision (probation, parole, jail, or prison) in 2011 – about 2.9% of adults in the U.S. resident population.

Nobody wants to be in prison, yet they keep coming back.

One study tracked 404,638 prisoners in 30 states after their release from prison in 2005. The researchers found that:

  • Within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8%) of released prisoners were rearrested.
  • Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6%) of released prisoners were rearrested.
  • Of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7%) were arrested by the end of the first year.

Will You Help?

Prison yards are dangerous places.  Friends in community help inmates protect themselves.  When inmates pass through the door to the streets of society, the risk is even greater.  The temptation to return to the old life is alluring and seemingly, for some, the only option.  A community needs to be prepared to receive them.

The church – the body of Christ – is the community best positioned and equipped to help prison inmates become society success stories because Christ followers are on both sides of the door from the yard to the streets.

If you are reading this article, and have experience and/or expertise in helping inmates through the door to jobs, careers and God’s calling, please comment and contact me by email.

 

Comments 7

  1. In reading your letter this morning, it was like the Lord was audibly speaking to me, for I have been on both sides of that steel door. I am freed from the bondage of prescription drug addiction and have been in recovery for three years. I have given my testimony in front of out congregation and speak at local drug court graduations as well as churches. In those visits, I felt God wanted me to work with these women, to tell them about Jesus, to simply love them. I also have experience as an Employment Specialist and Job Coach where I help people released from prison find employment.

  2. Hello Brian, my name is Nikki. My husband and I live in Cumming, GA. and have been in full-time ministry for 13 years. We are also the proud parents of two sweet boys. In reading your letter this morning I felt so compelled to write you it was like the Lord was audibly speaking to me..for I have been on both sides of that steel door. I am freed from the bondage of prescription drug addiction and have been in recovery for three years. I have given my testimony in front of our congregation and speak at local drug court graduations as well as churches. My husband & I have also led a Celebrate Recovery at our church. I feel a powerful calling to one day speak on the national level for women going through the same thing I did. I have also worked for Department of Childrens Services previously and have had many visits to women who were incarcerated to tell them I had to remove their children. In those visits, I felt God wanted me to work with these women, to tell them about Jesus, to simply love them. I also have experience as an Employment Specialist as well as a Job Coach for a small non-profit in Gainesville where I helped people who were released from prison find employment. Please let me know if I would be a good fit for this ministry as I am currently searching for God’s guidance and provision in my life.

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  3. Brian. Currently working with Brother Bryan Mission, Birmingham, AL. Well over half (maybe even close to 75-80%) of those housed at the Mission have been in prison. We have been using CC (as you well know) as a primary tool to bring the men to an acceptance, understanding, and practice of the Truth.

    Have long history of helping men in prison to change their life and thus accept and follow Christ and to mentor men in a half-way house.

    As always, I’m open to further discussions. Please understand this subject is VERY MUCH NEEDED today and will be even more needed tomorrow. DT

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  4. Pingback: Prison Door to Freedom | Crossroads Career Network

  5. Pingback: Inmate Out Right | Crossroads Career Network

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