Inside Out - February 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 

GOD MAY SEE A KING
BY BETH REID

John Jennings stood in the courtroom, looking into the eyes of the man who had murdered his son. This man had been his son’s friend, but one night, this "friend" took John’s son into the woods, demanded his money, and shot him. read more

REALITY CHECK: JAILHOUSE RELIGION
BY RUTH CHODNIEWICZ

People often have "come to Jesus" moments in times of crisis, like while lying in a hospital bed or while holding on for dear life during an earthquake.  A similar phenomenon happens behind prison walls.  Is the decision genuine or spurred only by fear in a last ditch effort to "make it into heaven?"  read more

-- Under the Covers: Prison Must-Reads at the BreakPoint/Colson Center Online Store 

 

 
Inside Out - January 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 

A NEW HEART FOR MARK
BY RON HUMPHREY

Alone in his cell one night, Mark Downs wondered if anyone cared whether he lived or died.

The answer eventually came through a dedicated Prison Fellowship Bible study leader, who showed Mark through Scripture that Jesus loved him and would always be with him. 
read more

CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN: When Women Go to Prison
BY ALYSON R. QUINN

Since 1985 the population of female prisoners has risen at nearly double the rate of males. Because women prisoners have historically been few, however, corrections policy has often not taken gender-specific needs into account. But over time, it has become increasingly obvious that female prisoners have different needs than men.  read more

-- Right on Crime: A Call To Arms

Inside Out - November 2010

CONVICTION: Hilary Swank Chats with PF about Film, Faith
BY PAT NOLAN

Two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank visited Prison Fellowship's Virginia headquarters in October for a special screening of her new film, Conviction. Following the sneak preview, Swank chatted with Prison Fellowship and a live audience about wrongful convictions and the role churches can play in advocating for reform.  read more

Lockdown Freedom
BY ALYSON R. QUINN

Chris Cleveland smoked his first joint at age 12, the initial step in a 30-year journey with drugs. He remembers his age because that year his father, an ex-Marine, and his mother, president of the New Mexico Broadcasters’ Association, finally divorced. Even before the divorce, his parents worked long hours. “I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted,” he recalls, “And it wasn’t a good thing.” By 16, his high school asked him to leave. read more

-- Building a Lasting Legacy with Missouri Inmates

-- Help Us Reach Every Angel Tree Child

Inside Out - September 2010

THE TIME TO END PRISON RAPE IS

NOW
BY PAT NOLAN

Ending prison rape is a cause that

recently brought together an unlikely

group of organizations. Normally opposed

to one another, leaders from both the

left and right joined together to call

on Attorney General Eric Holder to quickly

adopt standards that will hold prison officials accountable for combating rape in prisons

across America.  read more

"BAN THE BOX" CAMPAIGN OFFERS EMPLOYMENT HOPE TO EX-PRISONERS
BY JULIE ROGERS

As a successful commodities broker,

Jake Hall made a good living. After

spending time in prison, though, he

couldn't even get a job washing dishes.

He filled out innumerable applications,

but when employers saw the checked

felony box, they would tell him "no

thanks," or simply throw the application

away.

 read more

-- Finding HIS Footing