Prison Fellowship

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Start a Fundraiser
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Camps
    • Justice Reform
      • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
    • Church Partners
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Resources for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Resources for Angel Tree Coordinators
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • Share on Social
    • For Media Outlets
  • ABOUT US
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
      • About Chuck Colson
      • The Charles Colson Hope Awards
    • Our Beliefs
    • Financials
      • Financials
      • 2022 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News

Helping Ex-Prisoners in Georgia

July 7, 2015 by Steve Rempe

For many prisoners, the challenges and difficulties that come with incarceration don’t end when they leave prison for the outside world.  Free from the monotonous routine and structured environment of prison, these men and women are thrown into a world that is unfamiliar, with little (if any) support structure, few contacts that will do anything other than lead them to reoffending, and bearing a “scarlet letter” that makes it virtually impossible to establish themselves as productive members of society.

It is into such a world that former prisoners enter, trying to find legitimate employment in order to provide for themselves and their families.  It is a challenging proposition, and without assistance, many find themselves returning to old, familiar patterns, and then back behind bars.

Fortunately, many states are seeing the benefit of preparing prisoners for life beyond incarceration, and are partnering with private sector employers to provide the needed help for former prisoners to earn a living.  A recent National Public Radio story examines efforts being made in the state of Georgia to assist these “returning citizens” in finding work.


In 2014, Georgia spent $17 million in efforts to reduce recidivism, and received another $6 million in the form of federal grants.  This money is being used to increase skills training in prison, and to provide more case workers to shepherd newly released prisoners into the workforce.

But government funding is only part of the equation.  “We’ve gotta be able to provide meaningful employment for [ex-prisoners],” says Jay Neal, director of Georgia’s newly established office of reentry. “That doesn’t happen without businesses that are willing to give them jobs.”

In order to do that, the reentry office is partnering with non-profit groups like Georgia Works, which provides transitional housing, training, and counseling for ex-prisoners.  From there, these men and women are connected with businesses with a track record of hiring former prisoners.

“I really don’t judge [job applicants] on the crime,” says Chris Watkins, a hiring manager for a landscaping company. “I want to see a level of accountability, personal accountability, because I know that if they’re accountable for their actions in the past, that I can count on that when they come to the workforce—honesty, people with the ability to look me in the eye.”

Prison Fellowship supports the efforts being made in Georgia (and elsewhere) to remove barriers preventing former prisoners from reintegrating into their communities.  Providing opportunities for employment is a key way to help ensure that ex-prisoners are able to support their families without returning to their previous ways.

But meaningful change is brought about not only by changing the environment, but by changing the heart.  By ministering to the spiritual needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, Prison Fellowship introduces people to a God who can transform lives, renewing hearts and minds through Christ.  Through in-prison ministry and reentry programs, and with the help of bridge churches committed to serving former prisoners, lives are being changed, and God is glorified.  To find out how you can be a part of this life-changing work, visit our get involved page.

Filed Under: Advocacy & Reentry, Prison & Prisoners, Prison Fellowship News & Updates, Second Chance Month Tagged With: Georgia, Second Chance Hiring

SELECT A TOPIC

  • Advocacy & Reentry
  • Angel Tree
  • Families of Prisoners
  • Feature Stories
  • From the CEO
  • Hope Events
  • Inside Journal
  • Press Releases
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Prison Fellowship International
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
  • Second Chance Month
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Warden Exchange

MOST POPULAR

Prison Fellowship Responds to Inaction on Crack Cocaine Sentencing at Close of the 117th Congress

December 20, 2022

Criminal Justice Reform Achievements

December 16, 2022

Prison Fellowship Applauds Congressional Lawmakers for Passage of Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act

December 15, 2022

LATEST VIDEOS

WATCH ALL VIDEOS

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN
PF®
PFM®

RECOMMENDED LINKS

  • Ways to Donate
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Angel Tree Program
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Justice Reform

RESOURCES

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • For Media Outlets
  • Warden Exchange

JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

JOIN NOW
  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2023 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, Angel Tree Sports ClinicTM, Angel Tree Sports CampsTM, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.