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Starting A Prison Ministry
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Anonymous writes "I am located in the area of Lancaster, California. I want to focus not only on the inmates that are currently incarcerated but what happens after they are released. There is a revolving door policy that everyone seems to talk about here in California but no one seems to come up with any solutions and answers for it. There was an article in the local newspaper, The Antelope Valley Press, on Nov. 19, 2006, by William P. Warford concerning the high crime rate in this area. The main characters in "declaring war on gangs and crime" were the pastor of a large baptist church (about 6,000 members) and a local attorney. One of their solutions was to reduce the number of parolees coming into the area. Personally, I am more concerned about what happens when they arrive and can't find a place to live and can't find a job. Almost all of the unskilled labor jobs are taken by illegal immigrants. I have considered going from business to business and asking the owners if they would be willing to hire parolees. Has any one that you know of tried this approach before and if so, what kind of success did they have? I have also considered asking the local assemblywoman, Sharon Runner (36th Assembly District) for help but I have a feeling that something that is God centered will not bear well in this politically correct world.
I would appreciate any suggestions that you have to offer.
Sincerely,
Pastor K. Merle Williams
Lancaster, Ca.
661-466-9659
kpw6@qnet.com
"
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Hepatitis C Advocacy Trainings for Prison and Health Ministries
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Hepcmo writes "The year 2007 will an exciting time for the Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach, as we continue stepping out to train ministries on Hepatitis C and how to advocate for those affected by this virus - whether patient or family member.
5.3 million are estimated to have the Hepatitis C virus. These numbers do not take into account those living in prisons today or the homeless. This virus is passed through "blood-to-blood" contact, which makes tattoos, body piercings, and any Injected drug use (Don't judge. Diabetics have been known to share needles) a major risk factor for this virus. Most prisons in the U.S. do not address Hep C because of the costs to treat, but we of the Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach assist the Hep C client by teaching them to change their lifestyle behaviors, which helps the liver through the slowing down of the virus.
The Hep C Advocacy Program is a one/two day training, helping ministries to assess, counsel and if and when appropriate, test for Hep C .
Day One - Presentation
History of Viral Hepatitis - Hep "A" "B" "C".
The Importance of the Liver
Populations Affected
Lifestyle Behaviors
Health Issues in Prison Ministries
Prison Health Policies
Day Two - Training to Test For Hep C (This training certifies the attendee to test for the Hep C virus, with additional education on follow-up and referrals)
Testing for Hepatitis C (Special Training - 2nd day only)
Follow Up Counseling
How to Use Referral Sources
Hepatitis C Advocacy Program will be in the following states next year:
Richmond, VA - Salt Lake City, UT - Kansas City, MO - Kansas City, KS - Hemet, CA - Chicago, Ill - Philadelphia, PA
If you or your ministry is interested in our services, please visit our website at INPM or call:
Johanna Koskinen, Executive Director
Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach
Johanna Koskinen, HEP C-MO "
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Posted by admin on Thursday, December 21 @ 16:53:12 CST (964 reads)
(comments? | Score: 3)
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California Bans Smoking Behind Bars
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Anonymous writes " In prison, inmates lose many freedoms, and in California another one just went up in smoke.
The California Department of Corrections has banned cigarette smoking indoors and outdoors for both inmates and employees. The Department of Corrections hopes this move will cut health care costs by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
When smoking was banned in Maine prisons, it led to a 400 percent increase in assaults. That spurred Vermont and New York to ease up on their anti-tobacco policies.
I just came back from CA, Bill Glass Weekend of Champions event.
I was told by one of the wardens, "cigarettes and tobacco are banned from prisons and jails, and health is good, for sure", but here are some of the side effects:
"One sigarete costs $5 dollars behind bars."
"Tins that normally cost $8 can run as much as $900 on the cellblock."
"Cigarettes are the higly desirable commodity now, a simple of prestige."
Guards and the service crew, who make some $5,000 to $7,000 a month, are capable of pulling as much as $50,000 a month by smuggling staff in.
What do YOU think? Do you have somone in chains, who are affected? Do you ministry in CA?
Folks, let's talk about this issue HERE, at PrisonForum.us. Press a link.
INPM will send a printout of this discussion to the Governor Schwarzenegger and to California Department of Corrections. "
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CPP Christmas Card/Gift Project 2006
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mercy777 writes " Greetings CPP Partners and Friends,
Are you getting ready for Christmas yet? Well, now is the time!! Get out some cards and pens, it's that time of year once again to send a message of hope and joy into the lonliness of prison life.
I have saved addresses of inmates who are expressing lonliness of having no one writing to them, or ones who updated a request for a pen pal, looking forward to getting a Christian pen pal. Some have lost loved ones and may not be remembered at all this Christmas.
Can you help?
As few or as many cards as you can mail out, please pray about it, and E-mail us soon with the number.
Also, some have asked for help with stamps, gifts, money for hygiene items,
Christmas is a good time to send them a special blessing, in Jesus's name!
All who participate will get another e-mail with instructions. As always, you can use your address or the ministry's. Maybe you can get your church or friends involved? Most all of these inmates are our brothers and sisters in Jesus, saved, and love our Lord. Let's let them know Jesus hasn't forgotten them!
We are grateful for each one of you serving Christ within the prisons, so please know you are in our prayers and may you and your family have a most blessed and joyous Christmas season!!!
It's been a wonderful year, simply because He lives! Each year Christ becomes more and more the center of our life and living, He makes it all worth while. May God bless you in your service to Him, I pray you have a Joyous Christmas and God's best in 2006!
Please keep Christian Pen Pals outreach ministry in prayer, for the volunteer pen pals, the inmates, and God of the harvest to raise up more Christians to join with us.
In Christ's love,
Jesse & Beth Michael, Executive Directors Christian Pen Pals / Pen Pal Connection
Member of International Network of Prison Ministries

Email from: http://PrisonMinistry.Net/cpp/email
"
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Prison Ministry Opportunities in Dallas-Fort Worth
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Anonymous writes " Dear prayer partners of Dallas-Fort Worth area!
I want to invite you to the wonderful and unusual journey behind Prison Walls. Together with other CFL volunteers you will be able to share your faith in the Lord with lonely forgotten souls in DFW area prisons.
By coming with us you are not only obeying the Biblical edict to, “Go and preach to the nations”, but you serve Jesus Himself, who said, “I was in prison and you visited me.”
It will be an unforgettable weekend!
If you have never been in the prison before, or you have loved ones behind bars, why not join us in Prison Ministry? It might be YOUR ministry!
Call our friendly CFL office staff at 972-298-1101, if you have any questions!
Tully Blanchard,
Prison Ministry Director
Champions for Life   "
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Faithbased Re-Entry Initiative
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Anonymous writes " California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Warden Matthew Kramer: Folsom State Prison, Prison Industrial Authority in collaboration with Faithbased and Community Organizations will provide the opportunity for inmates at the Folsom State Prison Minimum Unit to participate in the Folsom State Prison Re-Entry Initiative. The Initiative consists of an intensive in-prison curriculum based on Biblical Principles followed with community support for the released offender and his family. The Initiative is scheduled to open November 2006.
An organizational meeting will be held for Faithbased Organizations, Churches, Community Organizations, Community Leaders and Interested Volunteers.
Date: Monday, October 2
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Folsom State Prison: Larkin Hall
From Folsom Boulevard, take Natoma Street through Folsom and turn left at the signal
onto the Prison Road. Pass the road that goes to CSP-SAC. As you drive toward Folsom
Prison, Larkin Hall is on the right across from the visitor parking lot and outside the prison gate. It's an old one-story building.
There currently is no other program of this kind offered in a male prison in the State of California. Inmates that volunteer for the Initiative will live in the same living unit within the prison and participate together in courses of study and counseling. The collaborative goal for those inmates who complete the Initiative is to have volunteers “Meet them at the Gate” upon release.
The question has been asked repeatedly, “What can be done to reduce the rate with which released offenders return to prison”? The Initiative endorsed by the State and supported by the Community is one answer.
Please mark your calendar. Your attendance will be greatly appreciated.
Refreshments will be served
For more information contact Joanne Werneke 916-470-0917 or joannemwerneke@hotmail.com
Hosted by Alpha USA Division of Prisons and Re-Entry "
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NPMI Negotiates $1.12 Million Donation
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Anonymous writes "Nicaragua Prison Ministries, Inc. Managua, Nicaragua
Nicaraguan Prison Ministries, Inc. has negotiated a large donation for the Nicaraguan Prison System. In total, 14 shipping containers of medicines, medical equipment, beds and office furniture are being donated from Food for the Hungry International. The total value is expected to exceed $1.12 million.
The first container, filled with medical supplies, was distributed to eight prison districts on August 25, 2006. The second container, which arrived a week later, held commonly-used medicines with a combined shelf value of over $700,000. The other 12 containers, comprised of bedding and office furniture, are still in transit.
As part of the agreement, NPMI staff and volunteers, including two board members and an accountant from Costa Rica, are supervising the distribution and use of these medicines and products.
NPMI negotiated this donation on behalf of the Nicaraguan Prison System, which just a month before requested 200 mattresses. At that time the NPMI Board could promise only 50, and money for them was not yet available.
Scott Martin, an NPMI board member and director of FHI in Costa Rica, is excited. "Imagine, over 450 complete beds are headed across the ocean. Imagine our joy of this gift after years of frustration and agony at having to say ’no’ to many urgent requests for medicines. NPMI devotes $225 per month for medicines for the prisoners, just a tiny fraction of the real need. It is pure joy to receive and distribute this gift to the prisoners who need it so badly." "
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Kent Lucas Prison Ministry
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Anonymous writes "Kent Lucas is the National Director of Prison Ministry for Freedom Foundation Fellowship. He is responsible for developing in-prison programs and works with local churches to identify and train mentors for prison programs. Prior to joining Freedom Foundation Fellowship, Kent served for 8½ years with Bill Glass Champions for Life. During his time with CFL, he developed a number of programs including the highly successful juvenile program, Ring of Champions. "
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Anonymous writes "A groundbreaking discipleship course for prisoners in Dartmoor prison has been axed by the Prison Service after only one year because it did not comply with ‘diversity policies’.
The closure of the Inner Change programme raises wider concerns for similar programmes and courses, such as Alpha, in British prisons because of fears that they may fall foul of the multi-faith approach of the government. Lady Georgie Wates, of the Prison Fellowship, who helped to set up the course in Dartmoor Prison, said the future of Christian teaching and chaplaincy in prisons was now hanging in the balance. “There are two reasons for the closure. First we don’t comply with the diversity policy of the Prison Service because we teach the sanctity of heterosexual marriage as the Bible says, which is seen as homophobic. “And secondly, because we don’t fit in with the multi-faith agenda. They think we should be teaching a bit of every religion and that what we’re teaching offends other faiths.” "
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Singapore Archdiocese celebrates Prisons Week
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Anonymous writes "
 
SINGAPORE – The Roman Catholic Prison Ministry (RCPM) of the Singapore Archdiocese celebrated Prisons Week from Jul 9-15 during which Archbishop Nicholas Chia visited prisoners of Cluster A in Changi Prisons Complex. Archbishop Chia is President of the RCPM.
Right, Archbishop Nicholas Chia blesses one of many inmates who approached him for prayers during fellowship.
Prisons Week began in the early 1980s as “Prisoners’ Sunday”, which was initiated by Catholics in the United Kingdom to pray for prisoners in prisons abroad.
By 1985, it began to develop an ecumenical dimension with Anglicans and Methodists coming together to pray with the Catholics. Subsequently, the emphasis of Prisoners’ Sunday changed from overseas prisoners to those in prisons within the United Kingdom.
Prisoners’ Sunday provided an opportunity for Prison Chaplains to speak in the different churches, and this helped to raise awareness of the needs of prisoners and prison staff amongst the Christian population. "
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There isn't a Biggest Story for Today, yet.
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| Thursday, November 09 | | · | Faithbased Re-Entry Initiative |
| Tuesday, October 17 | | · | NPMI Negotiates $1.12 Million Donation |
| Wednesday, September 13 | | · | Kent Lucas Prison Ministry |
| Saturday, September 09 | | · | Prison Ministry Axed |
| Wednesday, August 30 | | · | Singapore Archdiocese celebrates Prisons Week |
| Monday, August 28 | | · | Happy Birthday, India! |
| Sunday, August 27 | | · | Human Kindness Foundation reminds inmates of spirituality |
| Friday, August 25 | | · | Inmates seeking pen pals, love use Web ads |
| Thursday, August 24 | | · | Tony Dungy: With the Dream of Prison Ministry |
| Wednesday, August 23 | | · | Burglary and Arson at RJMN |
Older Articles
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