This is the first in a series of articles about our church's outreach initiatives. This issue reports on efforts to help transform the lives of inmates at Sing Sing Prison and the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution. Both institutions were recipients of recent grants from Christ's Church, for $2,500 and $2,000 respectively. Bruce Macleod is a member of the board of Hudson Link, which oversees the work at Sing Sing. Valerie Verini is one of 30 local volunteers involved with the Kairos program at the women's prison in Danbury.

Christ's Church Prison Ministries

The Power of Education

By Bruce Macleod

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison was formed in 1998 with Mercy College to offer college education to inmates at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York. Public funding for college education in prison was abolished in 1995 in a politically popular move to "get tough on crime." It was poor policy, however, because it has been constantly affirmed that inmates who leave prison with a college degree are less likely to return. So a short term saving (a second reason for denying funding) results in a higher prison population and therefore higher annual costs, not to mention the humanitarian issue of helping men who have made mistakes but want to correct them.

Hudson Link is truly an "everybody wins" program. The first and biggest winner, of course, is the student/inmate: the result is usually truly life-changing. The educational effort and actual college degree provide a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem often never felt before. That confidence can lead an inmate to be a role model for his family, especially children, even while still "inside". The prison itself benefits because the inmates enrolled in the Hudson Link Program (all 74 of them) need to be model citizens to stay in the college course program, hence the prison community is helped by inmates who carefully monitor their behavior. This program has the full endorsement of the Commissioner of Sing Sing. Finally, the communities that the released inmates return to are helped because fewer turn to old ways that got them in trouble in the first place.

Of course the real joy in being involved in the Hudson Link Program is getting to know ex-offenders and to see the rehabilitative power of the program. Their stories bring tears; first of sadness hearing what they have been through, and then of joy realizing where these men are today versus where they were.

The primary need is for funds to expand the program: there are currently about 100 inmates waiting for an opening. The direct cost of a course is $2500; in addition the cost of books is huge and not affordable for participants. On a smaller scale, there is a long list of items, many modestly priced, needed for the new computer lab being established for the inmates. In addition there are many opportunities for volunteer work in the Hudson Link office in Ossining, and help is needed in a variety of functions for the annual fundraising event.

Front Seat at a Miracle

By Valerie Verini

I am addicted to Kairos! For the past four years I have worked with the women at Danbury Federal Correctional Institution in a very intimate and rewarding way. Like the other 30 members of my team, I cannot wait to visit on the 3rd Saturday of each month to listen to, pray with, and talk with "our ladies".

The mission of Kairos is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, and to assist in the transition of becoming productive citizens. It is a program that has been active for 25 years in over 20 countries.

It WORKS! How do we know? The measure of effectiveness for prison programs is how it affects the rate of recidivism. The normal rate of re-incarceration is 65%. The rate for "residents" who participate in the 3-day retreat followed by a full year of monthly reunions, will drop to 15%.

Participation is like having a front row seat at a miracle! We have watched many hopeless, angry, frustrated women achieve hope, and a measure of peace and confidence in God's will for their lives.

How do we do it? We give talks, share our own life stories, facilitate discussions with six women gathered at round tables. We sing, we pray together, but mostly we "listen, listen, love, love".

Last month I left the institution in tears. A woman whom I had seen evolve over these four years from a troubled, angry person to a centered, loving one was going home to her family after 11 years of incarceration. I rejoice in her victory but will miss her terribly since the rules of the institution prohibit us from making contact after they leave.

We on team look forward to seeing each other each month as well. There is no better catalyst for forming deep, satisfying friendships than sharing in exciting, purposeful work. Bonding happens during the six training sessions. We rehearse how we will implement the program as it is spelled out in the Kairos manual. How we treat each other is meant to model Christian behavior for the residents.

How can you participate? The best way to run a program is to experience it for yourself first. No, you don't have to go to jail! There are many three-day Spirit-filled retreats you can attend. Cursillo is the Episcopal version. Many of us have attended Tres Dias, which is the interdenominational version. I would be happy to tell you more about either one.