PRISON FELLOWSHIP BLOG:

There are many people who have not had a chance to hear the personal experiences of incarceration. With over two million behind bars in the United States alone, there are an endless number of stories surrounding incarceration and the very real challenges upon release.

The North Carolina prison system announced that they will put an end to solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in the prison system. Historically, youth were placed in solitary confinement if they seriously violated prison rules.

By this September, the N.C. Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice will launch a Youthful Offender Program that will provide education, mental and behavioral health counseling, life skills classes, and family and community reunification services.

At 23 years old, Weldon Angelos had found himself behind bars facing a 55-year sentence as a first time, nonviolent offender.

He was resigned to his fate that he would not be released until he was at least 79 years old.

For the past several months, Google has led a unique campaign that reconnects children with their incarcerated parents through Project #LoveLetter. On Fathers’ Day, they showcased some of the #LoveLetters that kids sent to their incarcerated fathers.

As many know, the United States represents only 5 percent of the world population while holding 25 percent of the world’s prison population.

Twelve years ago, Patty O’Reilly’s husband was killed by an intoxicated driver. Now over a decade later, she has made it through a journey from anger and hatred to forgiveness and a new found love of life. She reflects on her experience with Reader’s Digest.

Although the number of children in detention centers has dramatically decreased over the past 15 years, there are still an estimated 55,000 juveniles behind bars. Regardless of whether they have committed a crime, they have the right to an education that must be provided for while in the detention center.