I am 32 years old and I myself have been to jail. It was for minor things over 10 years ago and I never did any major time. I’m saying like 3 to 6 months in county. As an adult I’ve changed my entire life around. While I was younger and I was in jail my mother stuck by me when I was in there. She never really went through the court process with me she just kept me content while incarcerated.

Jumping 10 years later my mom has gotten herself into some legal issues and now she is facing jail time. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be feeling right now. I love my mother to death and she is the sweetest person you would ever meet. She made a bad judgement call and acted out of character for a minute(literally) and now is facing what her lawyer is saying could be 6 months or potentially 8 years. She has never been to jail or even gotten a speeding ticket but she is looking at two felony charges. I have gotten her the best lawyer I could find in the area and I’m there for her at every lawyer appointment and court hearing. I listen to all her questions and concerns. She calls me at night crying she’s scared she won’t make it through jail. Idk what to say because I myself know how jail was but she doesn’t seem to listen to that. Yes jail was terrible however I grew as a person and I became the person I am today because of my past. I don’t know how I will react if I have to watch her be walked out of a court room in cuffs knowing she’s going to be locked away from all of us. I’m not nervous on how I’m going to get through my life while she’s there I’m scared because it’s my mom and I can’t stand seeing her scared or anxious about something that was a mistake. I can’t stand sitting her knowing she will be in there alone without having me to call whenever she needs to talk or to run to my house when she’s scared or any of this. It’s hard for me. I just didn’t know if anyone else has ever gone through something like this and how do you get through it?

I was put there where I didn’t belong, by a narc stbxh a week before brain surgery, in isolation and I realized the worst condition anyone could ever be in need Jesus and prayer the most!!!! How would I get started to pray for prisoners, bring bibles, etc. any advice? These are the people who need it most and would be the most receptive to it. I shared the gospel with a felon when I was there and it has inspired me to help.

Hello everyone! I am part of a church ministry that does some book publishing, and I think we have some books that would be very helpful to many inmates. That being said, I am curious as to how I could potentially get these books in some prison libraries. If you know of some of the ways I could go about this, please let me know!

Thanks in advance.

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Hello everyone! I am posting because I am pursuing degree programs to become a chaplain and I am trying to understand what I would need to do to prepare myself well to work in prisons. Thank you in advance for any input.

I am ‘spiritual but not religious’ and have worked in crisis care and spiritual care/end of life for about ten years. I am also a musician and plan to eventually pursue dual certification in music therapy.

I have heard that some prisons would only accept chaplains that are officially Christian and who have an MDiv in their tradition. Is this true? I could get an MDiv that is Unitarian or Humanist, but designated Christian ministry isn’t the right fit for me. If my assumptions here are incorrect, could you set me straight?

The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley has a 1-year Interreligious Chaplaincy Program which would set me up to begin working as I get my CPE. I assume that would be enough training to do healthcare but maybe not work in prisons? I understand I could then add a masters (MA) and pursue board certification from there, but I wouldn’t have an MDiv. Would that be enough certification for prison work or would this path be a barrier? My primary goals are to get the best education I can in the actual practice of serving others spiritually, and to leave my options as open as possible as far as the contexts I could work in.

So grateful for an input you could share. Thank you for reading.

Hi long-time advocate of prison ministries here, its a hobby of mine to collect stories, and my analysis indicates that chaplains are the most likely people to treat prisoners of all kinds as human beings. And it has been frustrating trying to get more perspective or even talk about the idea (especially online)

If it's alright to broach the subject, I'd like to chat. If I have to join, just let me know, the Rules aren't clear here.

For one thing, I have a list or 2 of surprising finds I've uncovered regarding prisoner and faith.

If you were to combine "Oliver Twist" (Charles Dickens Classic) and "Nicky Cruz" from the book 'The Cross and the Switchblade' by Rev. David Wilkerson, you'd have an idea of what I've been through and experienced in life. I wasn't the average kid growing up. I wasn't the average kid in the juvenile system. I wasn't the average convict in prison. For the last 30 years I've been out of prison I have been anything but the average Ex-Con on the streets! To be the "Average Guy" is something God didn't make me to be!

As a juvenile I was in 14 Foster Homes, 5 Juvenile Jails, 3 Juvenile Prisons, 2 Group Homes, 1 Wilderness Camp. As an Adult I was in 5 Adult Jails, 6 Adult Prisons, 2 Road Camps. I was born to an evil mother who first tried to kill me at age 3 and no father. I was raised in the Hood and grew up being the Minority. I got into drugs, alcohol, crime at age 12 in the juvenile system. I went into the "State System" at age 10 and didn't get out of it till I was 30 years old. In that time, I faced death more times than I can count! I learned to survive in a world of evil and violence where a normal day for me would make an average person wet themselves or have a heart attack!

This October 16th will mark the 30th year I've been out of prison. I was 30 years old the day I got out and I was a hardcore institutionalized convict with zero free life experience. But I did have God in my life, Jesus in my heart and a desire to never go back! I didn't want to be a criminal anymore. I actually never wanted to be one in the first place! Way back when I was a child, I wanted to be an Architect or an ER Surgeon.

Today I take all the knowledge I have of my past and create something good with it. I volunteer with At Risk Youth, I've created 2 very successful Neighborhood Watch Programs. I spoke at D.A.R.E. Programs in schools, Juvenile Group Homes, Juvenile Jails etc.. I've been blessed to be a part of many good things since I got out. Coming on here for me is just another way of doing good. If anyone, Chaplain or otherwise has questions about the type of things I've been through and experienced, I'm an open book! Feel free to ask.

Hello! My name is Brian and I am the Social Services Manager for New Beginnings Different Endings Inc. We are a Social Services Organization dealing with prison injustice, prisoner rights, release programming, release services, and many more aspects pertaining to those who are incarcerated. We can help with things as small as FAMILY RE CONNECTION, HELP WITH RECEIVING PERSONAL PROPERTY LIKE MAIL AND BOOKS, up to the larger issues like TRANSFERS, PARDONS, AND HABEAS CORPUS. We work directly with the incarcerated persons as well as their families etc. to create achievable goals and release plans that fully encompass all aspects of rehabilitation from addiction to employment and education.

Our trained staff have the background and passion to help those that have been discarded by society. We work day and night 24-7 to help stop prison injustice and provide a more humane situation for those who are being released. Let us help stop the sleepless nights wondering if your loved one is going to be okay, the constant stress of not knowing who to go to or what to do, and the unanswered phone calls. We are here to help and have the resources at hand to get done what many cannot.

Please contact us today for more information on how we might be able to help you or your loved one.

newbeginningsdifferentendings.com

Check out our FaceBook

brian@newbeginningsdifferentendings.com

Listen to this podcast about Kairos Prison Ministry!

https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/charismaconnection/857ee03286ef4fc6b85f90412fd643b6

I have spent the last 17 years on the "good side" of the bars. In the past year I finally was able to get gate clearance at a facility. I currently serve with Celebrate Recovery Inside and Prison Fellowship. It has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever in ministry. I am new to Reddit and am currently in a "sponge" phase of life. I hope to be more involved on this subreddit and be an active part of this community.

Hello there! I was hoping you can take a brief moment to look at a petition for my husband. He was involved in a controversial case back in the 90's when LA became tough on crime & he received Life without parole at age 19. If you do not respond, I understand. However, if this appeals to your human heart strings please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time! https://www.change.org/p/jerry-brown-commute-life-without-parole-sentence-for-stephen-davis/nftexp/ex3/control/2246631?recruiter=2246631&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_content=ex3%3Acontrol

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-06-06/news/9706060369_1_willie-yen-bullet-john-winkelman

http://www.wisecounty.com/themuse/Column7.htm

I got word near Christmas that Cody died. His family were slow in telling everyone.

A while ago, I listened to the story of a prison minister and his experiences visiting prisoners. Since hearing it I've become increasingly interested in learning more about prison penpals. I know it's not the same thing, but this is my first (small) step towards learning about and caring for who have been incarcerated.

Does anyone have any information about a program for this or how I could sign up? I'd like it to be legit and through a program to prevent any potential issues or safety problems. I guess that is my second question. Is there any potential danger involved in doing this? Would my penpal have my personal information (address, full name, etc.)

Finally am I being naive in thinking that someone in prison would be interested in correspondence to begin with? I'd like to find a male inmate to ensure that there would be no confusion in the relationship being strictly platonic.

Thanks for any info anyone may have!