Ex-Offender Introduction
Ministry and support for ex-offenders is often considered more difficult than serving those in prison. Caring for a released prisoner when they are facing issues of accommodation, employment and reintegrating with their family can be very demanding.
Prisoners have been used to people doing things for them. No matter how basic, their accommodation, clothing and food have been provided. On the outside they have to think and fend for themselves, and many are not capable of making sound judgements.
Supporting ex-offenders with re-entry to the community and their families, helping them resolve life issues, and assisting their integration into a supportive church are key issues if they are to break free from a life of crime.
Ex-Offenders
On release, the now ex-offender faces an array of challenges ranging from the physical and emotional, to the spiritual. The high rate of re-offending suggests that without support, they quickly fall back into crime. Resources gathered from around the world encourage the church to take an active part in the resettlement of offenders. This includes practical help with accommodation, employment and finding a church.
Re-Entry
The challenge of successful, crime-free, re-entry is enormous. Lack of a place to live and the temptation of old friends are immediate issues the released prisoner faces. Christians can provide an important and necessary supportive route back into the community. Work on successful Re-Entry begins in prison. See also Pre Release.
Life Issues
A failure in important areas such as family, employment and money can quickly lead to the ex-offender re-entering a life of crime. Help, advice and support with these and other life issues, dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful re-integration.
Spiritual Care
Many men and women come to faith, or renew their faith, in prison. But prison is not reality. Without active involvement by Christians on the outside, many released prisoners will slip away from their faith commitment.
