Recidivism

The most hated word in corrections is recidivism.  It means an inmate has been released and is incarcerated again...usually within months of their release.

As a society we have taken the position that "programs" will change people based on a premise that is if you change behavior, people will change.  We have spent untold millions of dollars on educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs, all of which are drastically needed.  But in and of themselves, they will not change people.  They can certainly enhance and embellish change, but we continually have walking out of jail and prison doors, better educated, vocationally trained, and therapeutically treated criminals....not changed people.

God would say of society's paradigm, "No, you have it backwards.  You don't change behavior and change people, you change people, from the inside, and then the behavior will change."  In other words, change the heart and the rest will follow.

As always, God's plan is the correct one, in fact the only one that can truly reduce recidivism.  When a man or woman in jail or prison trusts Christ as their Savior, and yields their life to Him, they change.  It is that simple and it's the reason Good News Jail & Prison Ministry trains and places Godly Christian Chaplains in correctional facilities around the world.  Our vision is to reach the inmates of the world for Christ.

Since the ministry was founded in 1961, by Dr. William L. Simmer, the focus has always been, and will always be, in placing full time Chaplains in facilities across the nation and around the world.  Each of these jails or prisons has requested to have a Good News Chaplain.  We have never knocked on a door and asked to place a Chaplain.  That speaks volumes about the integrity, professionalism, and commitment of Good News Chaplains.

The ministry has grown to be unique in the entire world for two reasons.  First, God has opened doors of opportunity as one facility administrator recommends Good News to another because of the appreciation they have for their Chaplain.  Time after time we are told that the Chaplain's ministry is the only thing correctional staffs see changing inmate's lives.

Secondly, God touches the hearts of His people to stand with us financially as partners in ministry.  Our policy has always been that we will not accept any form of tax dollars to support ministry.  We look to God's people to support and enable these missionaries called Chaplains.

The question might be asked, "How do we want people to be coming out of incarceration?  Do we want them rejoining the "old gang" and committing new crimes, or do we want them to be looking for a good church to join and seeking Christian fellowship?"

Some of you reading this may be very skeptical and doubt that we are seeing lives changed daily around the world.  Lives that society has said, "Lock them up and throw away the keys."  But we have a God of the second chance and He says, "I have a plan for their lives."

So my request to you would simply be, "check us out!"  If we're not doing the things we say we are, then you should ignore us.  However, once you've taken the time to investigate, I believe you'll agree with me that the answer to recidivism is Christ.

That message is proclaimed by Good News Chaplains daily as they minister nationally and internationally.  Please take time to visit and fully examine our website.  I believe you will agree that this is a ministry you should pray about partnering with in reducing recidivism.