A few days ago I went to prison. Yes, prison. A men's prison filled with 520 convicted criminals, many of whom committed violent crimes. A fellow coach and teacher of mine recently shared one of his volunteering/mentoring efforts with our class and I must admit that my attention was fully captured when he got to the part in his story that he goes to prison…regularly. As I continued to listen and hear the passion and joy he experiences in this program, I decided right then and there to accept his invitation to join him on his next visit. Although, I was still left with a basic thought-why there? There are many people out here that can benefit from mentoring and coaching, why help 'those guys'? Well, first of all, the US has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. The home of the free and the land of the brave can claim only 15 states with smaller populations than the current population of the US corrections system. And aside from the important social and moral issues to be noted about those incarcerated, the financial cost is staggering, 74 billion dollars staggering! Currently it's cheaper to send a person to 4-year state university than it is to send someone into the corrections system. Which begs the question, does it work? Are we getting a good return on this investment? The answer is-no; we most definitely are not. Approximately 700,000 prisoners are released each year and a staggering 50% of them will commit another crime(s) resulting in their return to prison within 3 years (75% if you live in California). This is clearly a poor investment. Enter the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (www.pep.org), a remarkable organization that takes men who are scheduled for release within 1-3 years, and offers them an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and invest in themselves. And let me tell you, this program works! Less than 5% of PEP graduate prisoners find their way back to prison compared to the 50% national average. And perhaps even more astounding is that since PEP's inception, 100% of its graduates find a job within 90 days of release. Today, you have a better chance of getting a job out of prison than you do after graduating from an Ivy League University. Whoa! But, what impressed me most about spending a six hour day with 97 of these PEP prisoners, was the joy and hope each of them embodied amidst what's considered a place of sorrow and hopelessness. These men are experiencing significance in a way that many of us on the outside have not. We're all broken, we've all sinned, and we've all fallen short of the glory of God. The great news is, all of us, even those who are in prison, are worthy of forgiveness and a second chance. I truly enjoyed meaningful, one on one conversations with about 12 men and every one of them had a spark of hope and purpose in their eyes that I can't quite describe. As the day progressed I recalled a thought I had before I arrived at the prison; this would likely be a day of unease as I attempted to help some of the 'least, last, and lost' of our society. However, I left the prison with the transformative realization that I was the one who was helped and blessed by those men. Those men who in fact are among the 'most, first, and found' of our society. Most, because they were putting everything they had into their work and their transformation. First, because for many of these men, this was the first time they believed they are valuable and first in God's sight and therefore deserving of this opportunity. Found, because God finds, holds, and keeps all of his creations close-if we believe, accept, and allow him to. So thank you men of the PEP program! I look forward to visiting your gated community again soon. Thank you for helping me to see prison as not simply a sad, forgotten place of punishment; but rather as a hopeful platform of opportunity. As Jeremy Gregg, PEP's Chief Development Officer, put it, "We can't change a prisoners circumstances but we can help to transform the broken lives that live there into the change that transforms the system." Agreed. A change that one day might bring a shift in our language from "crime and punishment" to "crime turned disburdenment". If this post touched you, I'd love to hear your comments and invite you to share this with others.
Suzanne
10/22/2013 11:20:56 am
Kirsten, A friend of ours...a 25 year old young lady...is currently incarcerated. I have been corresponding with her; sending her books and magazines; talking on the phone; visiting her along with her Mom and my daughter. It has been quite an eye opening experience. Not only has she grown in her relationship with Christ; but she has also helped other women who are incarcerated with her.
Tina L.
11/6/2013 06:29:50 am
What an interesting experience that must have been for you! My mother has been involved in a prison ministry in Matagorda County for many, many years and considers it one of the best volunteer programs that she could have ever signed up for! There is a "new sheriff in town" for the time being, and while I do not know all the particulars, this newly elected official has decided to halt this ministry!!! It's a shame because my now 81 year old mother feels like those women in the Bay City Jail are missing out on an opportunity to hear the Word and receive a Bible. In all the years that Mother went to the jailhouse for this ministry, not once did she ever feel afraid or threatened in any way! 12/20/2013 03:38:31 am
Hi Kirsten - I was catching up on my emails from PEP and read your article. Very well written. Excelent press for PEP ! I met you in October in Cleveland but it was only my second time to attend an a Executive Volunteer as they call us. I currently use two graduate's companies here in Houston, one doing local pick ups and deliveries and one a moving company. David Medlin, today's "I Was In Prison" email is a really good guy. My niece graduated last week from Sam Houston State with a BS in Criminal Justice and I told her to look at www.pep.org and she immediately signed up and will be going to Class XXI Kickoff January 24th. I came in in the middle of Class XX after hearing a graduate and Al Massey call in to the Michael Berry show on 740am so I didn't get signed up as a mentor for business plan development but will for Class XXI. Are you planning on going up?
Kirsten
1/28/2014 12:45:32 am
Hi Christopher. Thank you for your kind words; Im glad you enjoyed my article. Yes, I'm planning on attending the rescheduled Class XXI kick-off this Friday. I'll look forward to seeing you then and thanks again :) 1/28/2014 01:05:06 am
I'll reintroduce myself. Last time we were both somewhat new to PEP and it was only my second time to attend. Did you see the email about David Medlin's company Americas Courier Elite. He was the one obtaining a loan through Kiva? I commented about using David several times a week on the Kiva loan hoping to spur some more loans for him and PEP posted that on their "I was in prison" emails. David made his loan and got his second truck. 1/28/2014 01:08:35 am
I'll reintroduce myself. Last time we were both somewhat new to PEP and it was only my second time to attend. Did you see the email about David Medlin's company Americas Courier Elite. He was the one obtaining a loan through Kiva? I commented about using David several times a week on the Kiva loan hoping to spur some more loans for him and PEP posted that on their "I was in prison" emails. David made his loan and got his second truck. Comments are closed.
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Kirsten Berger Coaching