Prison Fellowship

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • 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 Camp
    • Justice Reform
      • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • News & Updates
      • 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
    • Research and Evaluation Library
    • 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

Be Your Own Best Advocate

The following article originally appears in the Summer 2016 edition of Inside Journal®, a quarterly newspaper printed by Prison Fellowship® to correctional facilities across the country.


prisoner

BE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE

Three Ways to Make the Most of Your Time Behind Bars

When you are in the system, life can seem hopeless. You have few choices, little input, and a lot of people telling you what to do. It's tempting to shut off your brain and just do time.

However, we are each created with unique gifts. It's unhealthy—and against our design—to numb out and let time slip by. It might seem easiest in the short run, but just doing time wastes the gift of each day. It promotes hopelessness, and it sets you up for failure upon release.

The truth is, even when you are behind bars, you do still have some control. Your mindset is the single greatest factor in whether you do time, or whether you manage to use time.

Every resident of every prison has an opportunity to be a good citizen today.

USE YOUR TIME WELL

STEP ONE

Resist thinking of yourself as the victim of a situation someone else imposed on you. You have the choice to be the best person you can be today and work toward the person you want to be tomorrow. Decide what action you will take to do more than just get by psychologically and physically. Think about what good you can do, for yourself and others, with the talent and opportunities you do have.

STEP TWO

Realize that everyone lives in a community. Sometimes we talk as though "the community" only existed outside prison. The fact is, you live in a community right now, and you can be a powerful voice for wellness, safety, and growth. Every resident of every prison has an opportunity to be a good citizen today.

Your actions and attitudes shape your in-prison community. When you establish strong, prosocial relationships, it benefits you and your neighbors. When you help solve problems, give respect, and encourage healthy living, you are part of the solution. Whether you signed up to be one or not, you are a role model for the people around you.

The person you are in prison is the person you'll be on the street.

PRACTICE GOOD CITIZENSHIP

Ninety-five percent of prisoners will be released, and many have a great vision for what they are going to do in the free world. But practicing good citizenship in the prison community now greatly improves your chances of being a good citizen when you get there. Don't deceive yourself: there's nothing magical about passing through the gate. The person you are in prison is the person you'll be on the street.

So, start right now. You might not have many freedoms, but you still have what's most important: influence, control over your attitude and aspirations, and a choice about how you will use your time today. Use what you have for good.

ABOUT INSIDE JOURNAL

Written specifically for incarcerated men and women, each issue of Inside Journal (offered both in English and Spanish) explains the Gospel in a fresh way, offers encouragement and motivation, and shares practical advice for the daily struggles of prison life. Distributed to prisoners via chaplains, program coordinators, and in-prison volunteers, Inside Journal provides a unique way to share the hope of Jesus with those who may never attend a chapel service or Bible study.


REMEMBER THOSE IN PRISON

PRAY FOR PRISONERS and THEIR FAMILIES

Lift up the needs of prisoners as well as their families.

DONATE and VOLUNTEER

Your gift today of your money and time will help reach incarcerated men and women with the Good News of the Gospel. Thanks to you, lives are changed, families are restored, and communities are made safer.

CONNECT WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP

Sign up to receive our weekly eNewsletter, which highlights stories of transformed lives and second chances, as well as resources and information from around the ministry.

SIGNUP TODAY

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®.