Let's Help Newly Released Prisoners Succeed

This is one of numerous programs designed to help support prisoners in their reentry.

According the Bureau of Justice statistics, at least 95% of all state prisoners will eventually be released from prison, ready or not. 

Due to Virginia's Earned Sentence Credit (ESC) bill that went into effect this month, the Commonwealth will see up to 2000 prisoners released early over the next two years, with 870 already having been granted their freedom on July 1.

Some people, including Virginia's Attorney General, fear this will make our communities less safe, given the fact that according to the Department of Justice 82% of those currently being released from prisons are rearrested at least once within 10 years, and 43% within their first year of release. 

There is reason to believe, however, that those released through the ESC bill will prove to be an exception to these statistics, partly because violent offenders and sex offenders are ineligible to participate in the program and also because those released will have completed certain required reentry programs, have proven to be dependable workers at their prison jobs, and have been infraction free for an extended period of time. In other words, they will all have demonstrated hard work and responsibility in meeting requirements in support of their rehabilitation.

The other important factor affecting their success will be the support of caring and engaged communities like ours.

In the state of Washington congregations have offered mentoring and support to returning prisoners through a One Prisoner, One Parish program founded on the fact that there are roughly the same number of congregations in the state as there are individuals in state prisons. So the idea is to have communities of faith adopt someone with whom they correspond and visit while in prison, then offer love, friendship and practical help as needed when they return to their communities. 

According to the Harvard University Criminal Justice Policy Group, seven factors are critical in contributing to successful outcomes, adequate healthcare, gainful employment, affordable housing, necessary skill development, one on one mentoring, and supportive social networks. Caring congregations can be a vital part of helping individuals access all of these.

The First Church of the Nazarene, the Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church and Grace Mennonite Fellowship have been among the numerous local congregations involved in ministries to ex-offenders, and more are expressing interest.

Together we can make ours a more welcoming and safe community.