Transitiong to Reentry

August 9, 2020/John Rusnak
Edit-4

Turning on a dime to refocus unCUFFED on reentry work.

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting our access to the institutions where we serve, unCUFFED has scrambled to reinvent itself with a focus on reentry. At the Baltimore County Detention Center, the typical inmate population of 1,200 has been reduced to 700. Although firm numbers are not available for most institutions we believe the BCDC numbers reflect state-wide decarceration. These releases present both hope and fear.

We are glad to see that our justice system is reassessing who should be held and who should be released on home confinement. This is an opportunity for our government to drastically reduce the costs of incarceration while providing people with a second chance to rejoin society while being supervised, working, and being supported by their family and the community. On the flipside is a concern that mass release may lead to increased recidivism and violent crime.

At unCUFFED, we want to support those released to ensure they will stay home as productive, non-violent members of society. We see these principles as the foundations of successful reentry:

  1. The Church’s belief that, despite expected recidivism, released inmates are worthy of society’s support based on Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
  2. Employment – We believe that work is foundational to provide hope for independence and self-reliance. A job teaches responsibility, teamwork, structure and perseverance while also producing pride in work well done. 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”
  3. Housing – We partner with Philemon Ministry and Helping Up Mission to provide housing, support, community, and addiction treatment.
  4. Education & Skills Training – The path to advancement and long term success in staying home is education. Not every kid benefits from a college education so along with higher learning we are seeking jobs and programs that teach skills necessary to advancement. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”
  5. Walking closely alongside those released discipling and mentoring based on 1 John 3:16-18: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
  6. Community – Our faith is based on community, there are no Lone Ranger Christians. Introducing a recently released kid to a community with a shared mission to serve Jesus is transformative.  See Acts 2:42-47: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed  were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Resources : 

Edit-4

Turning on a dime to refocus unCUFFED on reentry work.

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting our access to the institutions where we serve, unCUFFED has scrambled to reinvent itself with a focus on reentry. At the Baltimore County Detention Center, the typical inmate population of 1,200 has been reduced to 700. Although firm numbers are not available for most institutions we believe the BCDC numbers reflect state-wide decarceration. These releases present both hope and fear.

We are glad to see that our justice system is reassessing who should be held and who should be released on home confinement. This is an opportunity for our government to drastically reduce the costs of incarceration while providing people with a second chance to rejoin society while being supervised, working, and being supported by their family and the community. On the flipside is a concern that mass release may lead to increased recidivism and violent crime.

At unCUFFED, we want to support those released to ensure they will stay home as productive, non-violent members of society. We see these principles as the foundations of successful reentry:

  1. The Church’s belief that, despite expected recidivism, released inmates are worthy of society’s support based on Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
  2. Employment – We believe that work is foundational to provide hope for independence and self-reliance. A job teaches responsibility, teamwork, structure and perseverance while also producing pride in work well done. 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”
  3. Housing – We partner with Philemon Ministry and Helping Up Mission to provide housing, support, community, and addiction treatment.
  4. Education & Skills Training – The path to advancement and long term success in staying home is education. Not every kid benefits from a college education so along with higher learning we are seeking jobs and programs that teach skills necessary to advancement. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”
  5. Walking closely alongside those released discipling and mentoring based on 1 John 3:16-18: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
  6. Community – Our faith is based on community, there are no Lone Ranger Christians. Introducing a recently released kid to a community with a shared mission to serve Jesus is transformative.  See Acts 2:42-47: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed  were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Resources : 

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting our access to the institutions where we serve, unCUFFED has scrambled to reinvent itself with a focus on reentry. At the Baltimore County Detention Center, the typical inmate population of 1,200 has been reduced to 700. Although firm numbers are not available for most institutions we believe the BCDC numbers reflect state-wide decarceration. These releases present both hope and fear.

We are glad to see that our justice system is reassessing who should be held and who should be released on home confinement. This is an opportunity for our government to drastically reduce the costs of incarceration while providing people with a second chance to rejoin society while being supervised, working, and being supported by their family and the community. On the flipside is a concern that mass release may lead to increased recidivism and violent crime.

At unCUFFED, we want to support those released to ensure they will stay home as productive, non-violent members of society. We see these principles as the foundations of successful reentry:

  1. The Church’s belief that, despite expected recidivism, released inmates are worthy of society’s support based on Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
  2. Employment – We believe that work is foundational to provide hope for independence and self-reliance. A job teaches responsibility, teamwork, structure and perseverance while also producing pride in work well done. 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”
  3. Housing – We partner with Philemon Ministry and Helping Up Mission to provide housing, support, community, and addiction treatment.
  4. Education & Skills Training – The path to advancement and long term success in staying home is education. Not every kid benefits from a college education so along with higher learning we are seeking jobs and programs that teach skills necessary to advancement. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”
  5. Walking closely alongside those released discipling and mentoring based on 1 John 3:16-18: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
  6. Community – Our faith is based on community, there are no Lone Ranger Christians. Introducing a recently released kid to a community with a shared mission to serve Jesus is transformative.  See Acts 2:42-47: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed  were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Resources :