Colorado Correctional facilities should increase incarcerated individuals’ access to prison ministry and mentorship programs because meaningful community connections encourage all the things that make successful reentry possible: rehabilitation, resources, accountability, positive relationships, and healthy personal habits.

Prison ministry in Colorado's prisons and jails offer support, guidance, and the opportunity for redemption to those who are forgotten or lost. Unfortunately, there are many bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistencies which make it difficult to deliver The Word. There are many obstacles throughout the process, and access can be inconsistent. Requirements and decisions about who is allowed to volunteer can seem to change from day to day, making it difficult for willing and committed volunteers to get involved. The process for getting approved to provide prison ministry and/or volunteer in a correctional facility involves many, somewhat intrusive steps. Firstly, a volunteer must be affiliated with an approved program, submit an application, pass a criminal-history check, complete eight hours of training, go through orientation at the facility, and finally they just might obtain the warden's approval. However, even after approval, volunteers can enter only for their specific program and their specific scheduled time. Volunteers must also get an annual “access check” and four more hours of training each year. And even then, after all of the necessary steps, the warden may reject a visitation on a whim. It’s strict and it’s an extremely fickle process; one that volunteers must to be patient and unwavering with in order to actually succeed in volunteering. The odds are stacked.

Prison ministry programs provide invaluable services that aid in rehabilitation and ultimately reduce recidivism. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons each year, and nearly two-thirds are re-arrested within three years of release. Community-based ministry programs have demonstrated success in lowering these statistics by promoting personal transformation and offering hope to those who participate.

The National Institute of Justice assessed faith-based correctional/re-entry programs across the United States. The researchers put a magnifying glass on 48 programs. They studied the types of services offered and how religion and spirituality played a role in those services; 85% provided ministry or spiritual development, 83% provided life-skills training, 81% provided mentoring, 79% provided aftercare/reentry services, and 73% provided real-world employment services. The statistics show that prison ministry is much more than just worship. What is gained in these programs is vast and reaches directly into the offender’s life, post-incarceration. Prison ministry provides mentorship, healthy habits, real-world resources, and all-around support. The research supports the idea that expanding access to prison ministry and community volunteers can be beneficial to rehabilitation and successful reentry.

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative, a Christian rehabilitation program, incorporated religion with life-skills education, accountability, mentoring, post-release resources, etc. Among those who completed the program, 17.3% were rearrested within two years, compared with 35% of the control group, and 8% of graduates were reincarcerated compared with 20.3% of the control group. The researchers also found that continuance of the programs and relationships post-release were most likely a large factor to success/non-recidivism. 

We propose that the Colorado Department of Corrections take measurable steps to reduce the existing barriers that deter volunteers. Streamlining the application process, establishing a consistent set of guidelines that are uniformly enforced across facilities, and providing regular volunteer training can make a significant difference. By nurturing a more volunteer-friendly environment, the Department can leverage the asset of community-driven rehabilitation, providing inmates with much-needed personal development opportunities and preparing them for successful re-entry into society.

I implore the Colorado Department of Corrections to recognize the critical role these programs play in the rehabilitation process and to act swiftly to expand opportunities for community-based ministry. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of many. Please sign this petition to support the call for change and advocacy for those behind bars.