Helping Inmates Make the Transition To Freedom
We often hear about the increasing numbers of criminals being sent to prison as authorities clamp down on crime, however there is less awareness of the rising numbers who are finishing their sentences and are making their way back into the community.
Each month about 500 inmates will leave the prison system in South East
Queensland. That's about 6000 in a year. With some estimating a
recidivism rate of over 50% we can expect to see about 3000
re-offending within 2 years.
It seems that much more needs to be done to assist inmates in making a successful transition back into the community.
One would think that the inmate who finally experiences freedom after 5 years in prison would be joyful filled with hope for a new beginning. It is actually a very disorientating experience - one which often leads an ex-inmate back into the cycle of crime.
Even inmates who have made a decision to follow Christ are not immune to the problem re-offending, as there are many difficulties and temptations that make it difficult to build a new life on the outside. These difficulties include family or marital instability, finding employment, financial pressures, alienation and culture shock.
One inmate found it very hard to adjust to not having the door locked behind him all the time. Others find unexpected problems in re-establishing their relationships with spouses and children. Most find that employers are unlikely to hire anyone with a criminal record.
One Christian inmate who tried to turn over a new leaf and found it difficult to resist the influences of old friends. They organised a party for him when he came out - complete with all the temptations he had learned to live without - drugs, alcohol and promiscuous women.
Some inmates face hostility from an unforgiving community and must go into hiding or leave town.
Fortunately, there are ways that the community and the church can encourage ex-inmates to stay out of trouble.
Prison Fellowship has recognised the opportunity for the Church to assist in this area , and has developed programs to help inmates during this period of vulnerability.
The APAC Innerchange program creates a "bridge" between the prison and the church. Eighteen months before his sentence is up, an inmate enters a strict Bible-based training program in a special prison where he learns life skills and Christian principles. He is assigned mentors from a church in his home suburb and receives friendship and support from Christians. When released, he attends that church and begins employment with a Christian businessman. He also has access to counselling for any family difficulties he may encounter.
The early results from this program have been astounding. As inmates experience the blessing of Christian community and brotherly love, the prison environment is totally transformed. When inmates leave prison, they enter a welcoming church, with friends and family they know. They put their life skills and vocational training to good use in their new place of employment.
To-date, not one of them has re-offended.
This is a powerful witness to Corrections officials and staff who expect at least half of them to end up back in prison. It proves what we already know as Christians, that only God can change a person's heart.
It is the vision of Prison Fellowship International to set up these programs all over the world.
While there are some good programs available for inmates and ex-inmates, through other charities and church organisations in Queensland, there is no comprehensive program that prepares inmates for release AND assist their transition into the community.
Prison Fellowship in Queensland is praying that God will open the door for this program to be run in one of our local Correctional Centres.
- By Martin Howard (PF Qld)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTERCEDE FOR THIS INITIATIVE CONTACT THE PF OFFICE TODAY.
It seems that much more needs to be done to assist inmates in making a successful transition back into the community.
One would think that the inmate who finally experiences freedom after 5 years in prison would be joyful filled with hope for a new beginning. It is actually a very disorientating experience - one which often leads an ex-inmate back into the cycle of crime.
Even inmates who have made a decision to follow Christ are not immune to the problem re-offending, as there are many difficulties and temptations that make it difficult to build a new life on the outside. These difficulties include family or marital instability, finding employment, financial pressures, alienation and culture shock.
One inmate found it very hard to adjust to not having the door locked behind him all the time. Others find unexpected problems in re-establishing their relationships with spouses and children. Most find that employers are unlikely to hire anyone with a criminal record.
One Christian inmate who tried to turn over a new leaf and found it difficult to resist the influences of old friends. They organised a party for him when he came out - complete with all the temptations he had learned to live without - drugs, alcohol and promiscuous women.
Some inmates face hostility from an unforgiving community and must go into hiding or leave town.
Fortunately, there are ways that the community and the church can encourage ex-inmates to stay out of trouble.
Prison Fellowship has recognised the opportunity for the Church to assist in this area , and has developed programs to help inmates during this period of vulnerability.
The APAC Innerchange program creates a "bridge" between the prison and the church. Eighteen months before his sentence is up, an inmate enters a strict Bible-based training program in a special prison where he learns life skills and Christian principles. He is assigned mentors from a church in his home suburb and receives friendship and support from Christians. When released, he attends that church and begins employment with a Christian businessman. He also has access to counselling for any family difficulties he may encounter.
The early results from this program have been astounding. As inmates experience the blessing of Christian community and brotherly love, the prison environment is totally transformed. When inmates leave prison, they enter a welcoming church, with friends and family they know. They put their life skills and vocational training to good use in their new place of employment.
To-date, not one of them has re-offended.
This is a powerful witness to Corrections officials and staff who expect at least half of them to end up back in prison. It proves what we already know as Christians, that only God can change a person's heart.
It is the vision of Prison Fellowship International to set up these programs all over the world.
While there are some good programs available for inmates and ex-inmates, through other charities and church organisations in Queensland, there is no comprehensive program that prepares inmates for release AND assist their transition into the community.
Prison Fellowship in Queensland is praying that God will open the door for this program to be run in one of our local Correctional Centres.
- By Martin Howard (PF Qld)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTERCEDE FOR THIS INITIATIVE CONTACT THE PF OFFICE TODAY.
Last modified
2006-04-12 07:58 PM