REACHING OUT

1. REACHING OUT Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry

2. What is the OCPM?(and why should I care…?) Building and maintaining prisons is one of the fastest growing "industries" in the United States. The incarceration rate in the U.S. is 725 per 100,000 — the highest in the world. More and more men, women, and children are being incarcerated each day, a situation that burdens the imprisoned, their families, and society. Taxpayers pay an average of $20,000/year per inmate to keep someone incarcerated. Beyond the issues of how to prevent people from entering the prison system is how to care for those already behind bars. Faith-based organizations such as OCPM are working to reduce recidivism and to serve the imprisoned in various ways: by bringing them the Sacraments, religious instruction, by reaching out to their family members, and by promoting legal reforms.

3. What is the OCPM? The mission of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry is to love prisoners in the name of Jesus Christ, and to help them grow in the ancient faith. Although there are already many people involved in prison ministry in the Orthodox Church, in 2005, Bishops, Priests and laity met in Wichita, Kansas to form the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, authorized by SCOBA to organize, promote and assist prison ministry in the Orthodox Church. St. Silas, Patron Saint of OCPM Saint Silas was a companion and fellow laborer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). Silas was beaten and imprisoned with Paul at Philippi. He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. The purpose of OCPM is to support and assist Parishes and individuals already involved in prison ministry and to help new ministries get started.

4. What exactly is Prison Ministry anyway? Prison ministry is a way to put the Gospel message into practice. Through prison ministry, a group of compassionate individuals is able to bring the hope of the Gospel to those who are isolated in correctional facilities, and their families, and to assist ex-offenders in transitioning back into society. Not everyone feels called to go inside a jail or prison, but there are many ways to be involved in prison ministry. The Lord can use all of His people in prison ministry.

5. Why should I care…? It is understandable that people avoid prison ministry - our sympathies are with the victims, not the perpetrators. Yet we cannot avoid the fact that the Gospel calls us to share the Good News and the love of Christ with all people in all places, and that prisons are places where we meet Him, as in Matthew 25. Christ calls us to treat prisoners in a way that contradicts the conventional wisdom of locking them up and throwing away the key. In Matthew's Gospel, He instructs us to feed the hungry, welcome strangers, and visit prisoners. He also says, "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for Me."

6. Why should I care…? Aside from our Lord’s commandment, these men and women are returning to our communities, our streets and in our midst. Nationally, over 1,600 individuals are released from jail or prison every day. Offenders are most at risk for offending again within the first 60 days of being released. Most of them don’t make it. Statistics show that the recidivism rate is between 70 and 80 percent. Yet prisoners who received religious support/instruction while in prison had an 11% lower rate of recidivism than those who had none. They also had a longer crime-free period following release, and when they did commit new crimes, the crimes were less severe, while the control group had increased crime-severity. The recidivism rate for women with religious support was even lower, only 19%, compared to 47% among the control group, even though women face much greater challenges during re-entry than men.

7. Why should I care…? Because through OCPM and re-entry programs, we have the privilege and the opportunity to change lives! Because The ONLY answer for them is CHRIST. As the body of Christ, God commands us to reach those in prison with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:35-46, Mark 16:15, Matt. 24:14, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 14:18) Our mission is to deliver the message of forgiveness and reconciliation, the Good News of the Gospel, to all people.

8. But why do we need an Orthodox prison ministry?(Aren’t there plenty of other prison ministries?) Orthodox inmates have unique needs – the Sacraments, Orthodox study materials, support from their Orthodox family outside the prison gates. The Orthodox Church has a compelling message to non-Orthodox inmates. While many faith-based organizations and groups concentrate on “feeling good,” our Orthodox faith is concerned with theosis, growing in Christ.

9. Special Needs of Women and Their Families Who is she? - African American- 33 years of age- serving 3-5 years for petty crimes, usually drug related- connected to her 'man', her partner, or accomplice in crime- former victim of physical or sexual abuse- a mother of two or more children- a woman with gifts, talents, and abilities What does she need?- an environment which nurtures her faith - help to know she's forgiven- women mentors who model godliness - practical assistance and support

10. Special Problems of Women • Although far fewer women than men are sentenced to prison, their rates of incarceration are increasing faster than those of men and they come back to their communities with unique needs and challenges, particularly children and family issues and employment. While the number of male prisoners has grown 80% since 1990, the number of female prisoners has increased 114%. Women offenders are also more likely than men to have substance abuse problems, mental illnesses and to have been unemployed before incarceration. • Although, recidivism rates are lower for women than for men, studies tell us that within three years, nearly 60% of women are rearrested, 40% reconvicted, and 40% returned to prison. • Incarceration weakens family and community ties, and ex-offenders often have few job skills and spotty work histories, so that without financial, family or community support, women are at high risk of returning to crime to support themselves and their children.

11. Special Problems of Women Some obstacles that women face • Reestablishing a home and family life, including regaining legal and physical custody of children More than two-thirds of all women in prison have children under the age of 18, and most were the primary caretakers of their children prior to incarceration, often regaining custody after release. Almost 2 million children have a parent in prison. 90% of current inmates have had a family member who was incarcerated. Children whose mothers are incarcerated are at higher risk for problems at school and have higher drop-out and delinquent behavior rates. Many of them end up in foster care, with grandparents or other relatives, or ricocheting from family members to other temporary situations. • Finding a job with benefits that will enable her to pay for basic needs (food, housing, transportation, childcare etc.) • Creating a new personal environment that reinforces normal (non-criminal) attitudes and behaviors • Fulfilling conditions of parole • Special long term health problems Naturally men exiting prison face some of these same obstacles, however women, are often less equipped to overcome these obstacles to reentry. Women in prison are typically young and unmarried with children. Compared to men, they have more childcare responsibilities, fewer job skills, less work experience, and more significant psychological problems, often due to long histories of abuse (estimates range as high as 80%). Few have any practical knowledge about what resources are available to them in the community, much less how to access these resources or negotiate complicated bureaucracies.

12. How can I get involved? GETTING STARTED Only a small number of Orthodox Christians are involved in ministry to prisoners and their families, despite the fact that jails and prisons are found in almost every community. Prison ministry does not necessarily mean you are called to actually go into a prison. Not everyone feels comfortable visiting a prison, yet everyone can participate in other ways. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate at a level they are comfortable with.

13. Getting Started Questions to ask: • What are the needs and resources of the Parish and the community? • Is there already a priest or Parish involved in prison ministry in your area? • Do you know of Orthodox inmates or families who need your assistance and support? • How many people would want to be a part of this kind of ministry? • What resources are available, both in the Parish and in the community? • How do you want to become involved and on what level? Note: You can find information about your state Department of Corrections, either on the internet or in the phone book. The Chaplain Program in the Department of Corrections will help determine what procedures you need to follow and how you could be of assistance. 

14. Prison Ministry in the Parish Some suggestions for Parish prison ministry activities: • Worship Services and Bible Studies. These will generally have to be co-coordinated through the Chaplain of the correctional facility. Training and authorization may be required, through the Department of Corrections. • Orthodox Correspondence courses: Correspondence courses in Orthodoxy to be sent directly to inmates from Fr. David Ogan or the St. Athanasius Academy. • Pen Pal Program Perhaps the simplest way to become involved is through a Pen Pal program, since less than 20 percent of inmates receive visitors or mail regularly. Some studies have shown that pen pal and visitor programs have reduced the recidivism rate of the participants by as much as 34%. Parish members simply “adopt” an inmate as a friend, writing letters, and sending birthday and holiday cards. Parish participants should commit to writing at least twice a month for one year. Write on a regular schedule, possibly every two or three weeks. Think about your letters, and prayerfully consider the impact of your words on an inmate. Pray for your pen pal. • Visitor Program Some people may be willing to visit inmates inside the correctional facility. They should make a commitment to participate as a visitor for at least one year. The chaplain will be able to advise you about the policies and procedures of the correctional facility. It is very important that you know the rules of the prison governing visitors. For example, in almost all prisons, it is illegal for an inmate to possess any money or for you to give an inmate anything. Your responsibility is to become a friend, not a pastor, lawyer or banker. Do not get involved in his or her case; do not lend him or her money.  This is a ministry of sharing Christ’s love through your actions, not preaching. However there are some common sense guidelines that should be followed: Don’t give any inmate your address or phone number. Use the mailing address of the church or a post office box. Don’t stop writing or visiting without an explanation. Honor your commitments. Don’t tolerate offensive or threatening language or behavior. If letters or behavior become offensive, report the incident to the chaplain or the correctional facility administration. Don’t send or provide money, stamps or other items of value. All prisons have regulations governing these items, which are called contraband, and the inmate can get into serious trouble for receiving or possessing contraband. Many prisons do not allow inmates to receive books or other materials from anyone except directly from the publisher. Don’t get involved or take sides in the inmate’s legal affairs, or problems with the correctional facility or staff. .

15. Getting Involved Ways you can help: • Prayer • Visitation • Correspondence • Provide Bibles and study materials • Mentoring • Job referrals • Transitional housing • Re-entry Care Kits (personal hygiene, bus passes, phone cards) • Donate food or clothing • Job skills training • Financial support to OCPM

16. Prison Ministry in the Parish • Re-entry and After-care 90% of inmates are released to return to their communities. Within four years of release, three out of four will be back in prison – most for crimes committed during the first three weeks after their release. If we were sent somewhere with no job, and no family or friends to rely on, with only a few dollars for food, shelter, and transportation, even if we are well-educated and experienced with no criminal record, we would have a very difficult time finding a job and a place to live. So the reality is ex-offenders are being asked to do the impossible! One of the best ways that Parishes can minister to ex-offenders is to develop a resource manual for newly released offenders, and assist them in accessing programs designed to assist them with re-entry through job training and other assistance. This resource manual could include maps, bus schedules, and addresses of ex-offender programs and ministries. Part of the process of putting together the resource manual would be to research and contact the various ministries and programs available to assist ex-offenders. • Ministry to Families Some of the needs of inmates’ families are obvious. Loss of income means that obtaining food, clothing and shelter have now become critical in what was probably a difficult situation to begin with. One huge problem for families is transportation for visitation. Generally, prisons are located in rural areas, far off the beaten path, for obvious reasons. Many times, families do not have the financial resources to fund these trips to visit inmates, and sometimes they travel long hours by bus, only to be turned away, if the inmate has been transferred or is not allowed to receive visitors. Yet the families suffer in many other, less obvious ways. Often the families report that they feel as if they are imprisoned along with their loved one, even though they themselves committed no crime. They report being ostracized by friends, family, neighbors, and even their church. Almost half of all inmates come from a family where a member of their immediate family was in prison while they were growing up. There are many opportunities for ministry with families of inmates, but you will probably have to seek them out. Shame and fear of rejection will keep them from contacting you. One of the best ways is to simply be a caring and compassionate friend, a brother or sister in Christ.

17. Why Prison Ministry?Walter’s Story “Free at last…” Walter was a very large black man who did 32 years in prison for murder and first degree arson. He was sent to our program not because anyone thought he could get a job, but only to help him adjust in the free world. Walter was scared to death when he walked in the door. He had no idea how to mix with free world people. He looked down at the floor all the time, avoided eye contact and spoke very little. It wasn't until later that we found out what Walter did in prison for most of his life. He worked with dogs. Walter loved dogs. Maybe because they gave him what he needed in life - unconditional love.  We got Walter to smile. That was the big break. Something that may be small to us but for him that was the beginning.  We taught Walter that it was ok to smile. We taught Walter how to speak with people. Walter learned that he was a valuable person. Everyone treated him as if he were someone important. This meant a great deal to this man. All he wanted was to gain respect and not let anyone down - he always promised me that he would never disappoint me. He never did.  Walter got a job at a restaurant as the dishwasher. Not such a great job. But Walter treated that job as if he were the owner of the place. And the owner and all the employees loved Walter. When the owner found out I was trying to get Walter a job working with dogs, he gave Walter a $2.00/hour raise to keep him with the promise of a truck as soon as he could drive. Unfortunately Walter is dead. He died at the restaurant last Tuesday, suddenly of a heart attack. Thirty two years in prison and he died at 60 years old. You do the math. I have mixed feelings about this. I am sad that this very sweet and humble man is dead, after only a few months of freedom. I grew to like and respect Walter. I am sorry I never got to the restaurant to see him work. He always asked me when ever he saw me to tell everyone to come by. I am sorry that Walter never got to realize his dream of one day having a dog of his own. But Walter died a happy man. He had a job, a place of his own to live in, and  most importantly, he had friends. He said that the one thing he wanted was to have friends and their respect. He had mine. Walter died doing what he loved and around the people he loved and called friends. Now Walter is free at last. I feel privileged that I was part of his life. May his memory be eternal. Dennis Dunn, OCPM

18. We humbly submit the needs of this ministry to our Heavenly Father and rely on the family of God to help us to fund this missionary activity here in North America. What might you offer so this ministry can grow and become more vital? • First, help us in praying for those in prison and their families. We can mail to you the names of our flock so that you can intercede in prayer for them, these men and women who live in a very dark and dangerous environment. • You can also help us to pastor our congregation. God may be calling you to be a witness of His love. The fact is we are all called to love sinners as well as saints. We can help equip you to go into prisons so that you can bring searching souls out of the prison of sin into the light of God’s freedom. • You can help us by financial support. • Through the prayers of St Silas, we ask that God be merciful to us and save us. Amen. Rev. Fr. David Ogan, OCPM

19. Support OCPM • With prayer • By spreading the word • By starting or helping in prison ministry • Financially Contact Information: Dennis Dunn, OCPM, ddunnaec@yahoo.com, 404-447-0849 Korrey Wor, President, OCPM, 1-405-250-5215

20. Resources V. Rev. Father David Ogan PO BOX 822169 Vicksburg, Mississippi 39182 Phone and Fax: (601) 636-8392, ogand@bellsouth.net Provides icon prayer cards, catechetical workbooks, and Orthodox prayer books that help the imprisoned faithful. Aside from the Bible, the most requested books are the Orthodox Christian Journey series, consisting of four books: Orthodox Christian Journey, Orthodox Christian Catechism, Orthodox Christian Prayerbook, and Orthodox Christian Readings, written in everyday American language, easily read and understood, filled with profound truths of the Holy Orthodox Faith. A self-directed study book to be used in conjunction with Orthodox Christian Catechism is also available. By using these materials, many prisoners transform their prison cells into prayer cells. V. Rev. Constantine Mersinas, Metropolis of Atlanta Prison Ministry SS. Markella & Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 2135 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549 850-244-0822, email: office@stmarkella.org Dennis Dunn, OCPM Board member, Director of Job Development Atlanta Enterprise Center 81 Peachtree Pl NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-874-8001 extension 12, ddunnaec@yahoo.com (available to visit your Parish and speak to any groups or individuals interested in prison ministry and OCPM)

21. Resources BIBLE STUDY COURSES Prisoner Education Project: Correspondence Study Program for Prisoners CS 100 - Basic Christian Spirituality I: Gaining and maintaining an Orthodox Christian spirituality CS 101 - Basic Christian Spirituality II, Continuation of CS 100 CS 102 – Prayer: Developing and maintaining a meaningful prayer life within prison walls If the above are all completed successfully, the prisoner may, with the guidance of the faculty of St. Athanasius Academy, continue with appropriate courses selected from the St. Athanasius Academy Correspondence Studies Program. Upon the completion of a program of studies under the direction of the faculty, the prisoner may earn the Diploma in Orthodox Christian Studies. Application forms for admission and for scholarship assistance can be obtained from: Prisoner Education ProjectSt. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology, Suite 17010519 E. Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, CA 95624 BIBLES/NEW TESTAMENTS: Will provide Bibles free to prisoners Scripture Press Ministry, Miss Helen Gorges, P.O. Box 513, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138 International Prison Ministry (I.P.M.)P.O. Box 63Dallas, TX 75221E-mail: taran@ipm.orgWebsite: www.ipm.org Bible Alliance, Inc. P.O. Box 621 Bradenton, FL 34206 (NKJ New Testament and tapes, Sent to chaplains only) Free Forever Prison Ministry, Inc. P.O. Box 1073, New Haven, CT 06504 (Spanish only)