PRISON FELLOWSHIP BLOG: Uncategorized

In today’s BreakPoint commentary, John Stonestreet offers his reflections on the life and legacy of Chuck Colson, and offers a personal word of thanks for the many lives who have been touched by him:

… Quantifying his impact would be impossible, but you know I meet those who have been impacted by him all the time – they read his books, or they listen to BreakPoint, or maybe their children were loved by Angel Tree volunteers while they were incarcerated, or they found Jesus Christ after hearing his story of redemption.

In one of what is likely to be many online tributes to Chuck Colson, Keith Fournier at Catholic Online has written a personal reflection on the life of Prison Fellowship’s founder.

Chuck Colson is one of those great men; a man of true courage.

The position of the prison chaplain is a complex one.  For every hour of religious instruction or counseling, there are several hours dedicated to performing basic administrative duties, and the necessary restrictions and regulations that come with serving prisoners produce a unique set of challenges that are unknown to the traditional pastor serving outside the prison walls.

For me the most radical demand of Christian faith

lies in summoning the courage to say yes

to the present risenness of Jesus Christ.1

Easter morning service in our church was magnificent, rousing triumphant music, scripture readings, an insightful, powerful sermon, culminating in a festive  celebratory Eucharist. 

Willie Jenkins was recently named the administrator of the reentry program in Indianapolis, but his experience working with prisoners as they prepare to return to society stretches back much longer. 

Before taking his current position, Jenkins served as the field director for Prison Fellowship in Indiana. 

During his tenure in Congress, Sen. Jim Webb (D) has been an advocate for reforming the criminal justice system.  In 2009, Webb sponsored a bill (The National Criminal Justice Commission Act) that would have established a congressional commission to examine practices and policies of the criminal justice system, and to propose changes. 

Rich Lowry of National Review has written a moving portrait of Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson.  Lowry reflects on Colson’s transformation from White House “hatchet man” to an advocate for prisoners and their families, and the path that led him to his current calling:

Colson, 80, is a giant of our time.

The department of corrections in Washington has proposed legislation that will overhaul the probation and parole practices in that state, and promises to save taxpayers as much as $15 million in the process.

According to the Seattle Times, the bill would reduce the typical sentence for minor parole or probation infractions such as failing a drug test, while making the penalties more predictable. 

Lately I have been thinking about the crucifixion of Jesus and how such a macabre symbol of execution as the cross has become a symbol of hope for believers in Jesus.

As a symbol, the cross is both bizarre and extraordinary.

An article on The Atlantic magazine’s website is asking the provocative question, “what’s God got to do with drug addiction?”  The story features a fairly comprehensive look at the Teen Challenge recovery program, but does little to answer the titular question.

After catching a touchdown to help Clemson win the 1981 National Championship, wide receiver Perry Tuttle adorned the cover of Sports Illustrated with the caption, “Orange Bowl Hero Perry Tuttle of Clemson.

You might think that would be Tuttle’s favorite memory of his greatest football game ever.

Writing for The Huffington Post, Molly Gill of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) asks a great question, “How would Jesus want us to punish?”

Scripture is filled with depicting God’s hatred for unfairly weighed measuring scales. Gill makes clear, “Those scales include the scales of justice used in our courthouses…..

The Florida state legislature recently passed a bill creating a new reentry program – a needed step in reducing Florida’s large prison population and high recidivism rate.

According to the bill, non-violent drug offenders who have served at least half of their sentence would be eligible for the program, which would provide counseling and treatment in community centers across the state. 

A new report by the Pew Research Center provides some insight into the religious culture existing behind bars, as seen through the eyes of prison chaplains.

The study, which surveyed over 700 chaplains in all 50 states, covers a wide assortment of issues, from religious extremism in prisons, to profiles of the chaplains themselves and the work they do.

There is no honour among thieves.  It is often observed that human greed is more powerful than human loyalty and that no allegiance or promise is safe from corruption by money, sex, or power.  Stories of double-crossing, double-dealing, and betrayal are rife in the world of crime.