Marci
04-05-2007, 11:07 PM
Not sure how many of you are still here and remember me???? I did update for about 6 mths after Kevin got home - it's now been 3 yrs on April 1st! I reminded him of that the other day and he said it seems like just a few months ago!!
I give all of you admiration for sticking by your love/family memeber/friend through this horribly sad and frustrating time. Overcast by so much recidivism, we forget that there are those who get out and thrive.
Kevin is doing well.... Back in the early 90's, he had gone to seminary, but afterwards pursued youth counseling. After having his licensed revoked because of his felony, he had no clue what to do - 30 days and get a job. Luckily, my VA benefits gave him a chance to enroll in school within 30 days so he could take his time figuring out what to do. He figured it out. About 2 yrs ago, more than13 yrs after graduating from seminary with a BA in Theology and Christian Counseling, he finally was ordained - by the Church of God. He has been working as a prison chaplain for almost 2 yrs now, and I help him with the back part of the work, along with visitations and letters of encouragement. We began a ministry in our church which started slowly, I believe both fear and the "I don't know what to day" kept it from thriving right away, but now we are a strong body and our men and women inside know that they are encouraged and can be themselves and just open up.
What a difference 3 yrs makes! Kevin was sposed to be on probation for 5 yrs. Upon completing all he was to complete, paying all restitution, his probation officer sent a letter to the judge - and we received a letter just last month from his PO stating "Congatulation Kevin! You did a fine job and should be very proud. According to judge________, you are completely off supervised probation"! Boy, that went into the important records box!!
I just wanted to let you know, if you're waiting for a loved one to come home, are nervous, anxious - please disregard much of the negative drama that comes from so many places. Yes, the recidivism rate in this country is high. I actually pulled these stats off of a prison ministry site run by Chuck Colson (an aid to Richard Nixon who spent time in prison during Watergate) who runs one of the biggest prison ministries in North America:
"Those in prison who receive a GED or graduate high school in prison have a 4% higher chance of staying out of prison for good once released. For those who have a job waiting outside for them, add an additional 14% (total 18%). For those who belong to a faith, study the Word, are educating themselves into their religious beliefs, and attempt to live by their beliefs for at least 1/2 of their sentence have an additional 36% (total 54%) higher chance of making it on the outside for good. Wow.
God Bless all of you and I hope you and your loved ones dreams come true soon!! :pray:
Blessings!
Marci - VERY involved in PTO 2003/2004
I give all of you admiration for sticking by your love/family memeber/friend through this horribly sad and frustrating time. Overcast by so much recidivism, we forget that there are those who get out and thrive.
Kevin is doing well.... Back in the early 90's, he had gone to seminary, but afterwards pursued youth counseling. After having his licensed revoked because of his felony, he had no clue what to do - 30 days and get a job. Luckily, my VA benefits gave him a chance to enroll in school within 30 days so he could take his time figuring out what to do. He figured it out. About 2 yrs ago, more than13 yrs after graduating from seminary with a BA in Theology and Christian Counseling, he finally was ordained - by the Church of God. He has been working as a prison chaplain for almost 2 yrs now, and I help him with the back part of the work, along with visitations and letters of encouragement. We began a ministry in our church which started slowly, I believe both fear and the "I don't know what to day" kept it from thriving right away, but now we are a strong body and our men and women inside know that they are encouraged and can be themselves and just open up.
What a difference 3 yrs makes! Kevin was sposed to be on probation for 5 yrs. Upon completing all he was to complete, paying all restitution, his probation officer sent a letter to the judge - and we received a letter just last month from his PO stating "Congatulation Kevin! You did a fine job and should be very proud. According to judge________, you are completely off supervised probation"! Boy, that went into the important records box!!
I just wanted to let you know, if you're waiting for a loved one to come home, are nervous, anxious - please disregard much of the negative drama that comes from so many places. Yes, the recidivism rate in this country is high. I actually pulled these stats off of a prison ministry site run by Chuck Colson (an aid to Richard Nixon who spent time in prison during Watergate) who runs one of the biggest prison ministries in North America:
"Those in prison who receive a GED or graduate high school in prison have a 4% higher chance of staying out of prison for good once released. For those who have a job waiting outside for them, add an additional 14% (total 18%). For those who belong to a faith, study the Word, are educating themselves into their religious beliefs, and attempt to live by their beliefs for at least 1/2 of their sentence have an additional 36% (total 54%) higher chance of making it on the outside for good. Wow.
God Bless all of you and I hope you and your loved ones dreams come true soon!! :pray:
Blessings!
Marci - VERY involved in PTO 2003/2004