by David Spickard, JfL President and CEO - I just returned from a meeting at Prison Fellowship where we at Jobs for Life (JfL) are a part of a collaboration of ministries across the country engaged in outreach to prisoners, ex-offenders, and their families.  While churches and ministries leading JfL classes serve a wide variety of people, many engage prisoners and ex-offenders with tremendous impact.  As a result, we have the honor to serve as a part of this collaboration.

What I learned these last two days would blow you away.  A U.S. congressman from Virginia and a leader of Chaplaincy for the Federal Bureau of Prisons came to share with us the current state of the prison system in America.  Here’s what I learned from them:

• The U.S. incarcerates its citizens at a higher rate than any other country in the world
• 31 religions are officially recognized in the federal prison system
• Only 1 out of 10 inmates work during their time in prison
• Nothing is being done at the federal level to help inmates understand the dignity of work while they are incarcerated

As I heard this, I thought to myself, “You have to be kidding me right? Surely, this is not happening.”  And yet, it’s true.

No wonder 2/3 of ex-offenders are rearrested within 3 years of their release.  No wonder men and women coming out of prison have no idea how to handle their prison record in an interview and continually face rejection.  No wonder men and women released from prison at 10:30pm on a Saturday night with no money and no support system go right back to what they know – crime!

Is there any hope?  You bet.  Stick around, read the stories in this month’s enewsletter, sign up for the April webinar, browse the Jobs for Life website, and I urge you to consider how your church or ministry might lead a JfL class.  We have sites leading JfL classes to people with overwhelming obstacles, even a prison record, with 100% job placement after they graduate from the JfL class.  No matter the barrier, the Lord using His people, the Church, and the teaching of His Word, the Bible, to do the impossible.  And along the way, He’s transforming lives for generations to come.  How might you take the journey with us?