Engaging the Community
'Out of sight, out of mind'. This is why many communities do not think about offenders. However, most prisoners will return to the community. Resources in this section will assist you to involve the community in prisons and with the resettlement process.
Community
A community is a place of belonging where people know and care for one another. Crime affects the very fabric of community by triggering a complex set of attitudes and consequential actions.
So community participation is vital to not only preventing crime but also to repairing its damaging effects. With these objectives in mind, effective offender and victim restoration can only occur within a community context. Faith-based groups, social service agencies, prospective employers, family members, and community supervision groups are key players in collectively:
- establishing community standards
- partnering with law-enforcement and corrections agencies
- mitigating crime and its effects
- ensuring reparative outcomes
- integrating the ex-offender's return
Victim Support
Often ignored by the criminal justice system, the needs of the victims of crime are often overlooked. Restorative Justice seeks to address this and other issues. For details see www.pfi.org/cjr. Christians involved with prison ministry are encouraged to consider how to support the needs of victims.
Community Engagement
The fear of crime affects most communities. Offenders are rejected by society. Communities are ill-equipped for involvement in the re-integration process of ex-offenders. Yet, with appropriate information and materials, communities can become welcoming and supportive environments for the released prisoner.
