Article written for Prison Fellowship®. Originally posted to the Prison Fellowship blog in April 2022.
The Church is well-positioned to respond to the needs of returning citizens. Woven into the social fabric of communities, churches can provide the sense of community and accountability that are the first line of defense against recidivism.
Can My Church Minister to Returning Citizens?
Each year, more than 600,000 men and women are released from prisons in the United States. They will encounter stigma and barriers that threaten to derail their reentry, and nearly two-thirds of the individuals released will be rearrested within three years of their release.
Too often, our current criminal justice system offers returning citizens more challenges when what they need is a second chance. Where our systems and culture fail, the Church should stand up. Faithful Christian communities are pivotal places where second chances are extended.
Emily Harris Greene 