Restoration Series is a new series about Prison Fellowship Academy. Go on the journey in this series of Prison Ministry, reducing recidivism. Watch the first episode here!

Prison Ministry

Some years ago, I went with our Women’s Ministry group to speak with, encourage and witness to prisoners of Arkansas Department of Corrections Newport Complex.  It was an unexplainable experience.  No words I could have would truly depict that experience.

You can read my prep for that mission here and a little about the woman who left prison saved and began the awesome program that enabled us to go and witness to women here.

I can say from watching a very close loved one, leaving prison is difficult.  It’s very hard to start over, which contributes directly to our recidivism rate in the US.  It’s shameful, we have failed in this country.  If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have the highest prison population in the world.  Something needs to change. And soon.

Restoration Series

From the Ministry:

The Restoration Series tells the story of men and women who have experienced the Academy, Prison Fellowship’s revolutionary in-prison program that is combatting incarceration and recidivism head on.

For years, Jonathan has been in prison. As a result, he has missed milestone moments with his family. He wasn’t there for his daughter’s first day of school or a thousand little experiences with his wife and as a father, he is devastated to be separated from those he loves most.

‍Jonathan has been looking forward to his release from prison for over a decade. So many life events have been missed and he is now ready to be with his wife and kids again. Of course, this transition isn’t going to be easy. The odds are against him: with over half of prisoners returning to prison within two years, Jonathan is aware of the challenge set before him.

‍Still, he is determined to take the skills he has learned into the world outside of incarceration and stay there, helping build the community that he is part of for years to come.

Prison Fellowship presents The Restoration Series: Jonathan’s Walk, a 5-part documentary film series following one man as he re-enters his community after 15 years in prison. It demonstrates in imagery, powerful storytelling and social interaction what it means to be human and the shared need of all people to see communities restored.

Though America is home to only 4% of the world’s population, we house more than 20% of its prisoners. Recidivism–the tendency of a criminal to reoffend—is out of control. The Restoration Series tells the story of men and women who have experienced The Academy, a revolutionary in-prison program that is combatting incarceration and recidivism head on.

Jonathan’s Walk

here