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Preparing Inmates for Freedom
Many released prisoners say they returned to crime, and prison, because they had no choice. Learn how PFI worldwide is helping released prisoners stay away from crime and out of prison.
Most ex-prisoners who re-offend following their release say they had no choice. Burdened with the stigma of a prison record and a lack of viable options, many released prisoners find themselves without family support, without help for problems with addiction, and unable to find employment. So they revert to a life of crime.
Far from preparing prisoners to return to the community as productive members of their society, imprisonment only serves to institutionalize inmates and to breed dependence rather than independence. After years of confinement, most prisoners are unprepared for the demands of life on the outside.
In many countries, Prison Fellowship tries to counter this reality by teaching prisoners basic life and work skills. The types of programmes offered are as varied as the needs of the inmates and the situation in the country.
--Through PF Australia‘s Lives in Transition programme, inmates are taught life skills prior to their release. Basic skills include managing money, goal-setting, parenting, personal habits, as well as employment training. At the end of the 16-week course, prisoners are matched up with a mentor in the community who will provide follow-up support after they are released.
--PF England/Wales operates "Compass," a 22-week values-based programme. Inmates are encouraged to examine, understand and apply a Christian values-based lifestyle both within prison and upon release.
--PF Guyana‘s comprehensive in-prison training course, Prisoners of Purpose, provides inmates with special courses in basic Christianity, life skills and employ-ment. Prisoners who complete the programme are enlisted and trained to teach other prisoners.
--PF Papua New Guinea helps prisoners build positive personal connections with their community through outreach activities in which prisoners participate in church services and other events outside of the prison.
Other PF ministries provide training in specific job skills. Among them, PF Cambodia trains prisoners in motorbike repair and PF Rwanda provides literacy and education courses in prison.
