Prodigal Sons and Daughters:

Easing the Transition from Incarceration to Home and Community

“This son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.”

Luke 15: 24 

I was in prison and you visited me."

Matthew 25:36

97% of all people who are incarcerated eventually return to their communities. If ex-offenders enter a community where they receive assistance, respect, and a fair shot at obtaining housing and employment.   A 2007 state-funded survey in collaboration with Harvard University found substantially lower rates of recidivism, higher rates of employment and higher earnings among ex-offenders who receive support after their release, as compared to those who received no such support.  

Some of the more important assistance came in the form of drug and alcohol counseling, job training, housing and a GED program.  As the Monroe County Re-Entry Task Force warns “Ignoring the plight of former offenders puts our community at serious risk of continued violence, criminal activity, an increased tax burden, and irreparable damage to children, families and neighborhoods.” 

Many faith communities are making an effort to welcome and assist former offenders.

 

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