As Catholics, our faith expresses that all human life is sacred and calls us to treat each person with dignity and respect.  For those incarcerated as well as their families and victims of crimes, we recognize the broken body of Jesus and are reminded of his teaching in that what we do to the least of our brothers and sister, we also do to Him.  Our Criminal Justice Ministry strives for healing and wholeness and seeks opportunities for individuals and communities to resist all that diminishes human dignity and crushes the spirit.

The Challenges of Prisoner Reentry Are Great

More than 90 percent of the individuals currently behind bars will someday be released.  Each year, more than 650,000 inmates are released from Federal and State prisons.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, two out of every three ex-inmates will be re-arrested for new crimes within three years of release, and more than half of those will be re-incarcerated.

Released prisoners face a myriad of challenges that foster return to criminal activity, re-arrest and re-incarceration. These include:

• limited job skills and education
• substance abuse
• lack of suitable housing
• weak support systems

Catholic Charities Criminal Justice Ministry contains three main components in its efforts to alleviate barriers as inmates are returned to make their way in society and minister to those victimized by crime.

Pre-Release and Aftercare

We are currently engaged with two institutions, the Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange and the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Pee Wee Valley.  Inmates must enroll at least six months prior to their release date.  They meet with staff and volunteers on a regular basis to receive counseling and to determine their commitment to the program after release.  These meetings are coincidental to the regular spiritual growth and liturgical activities at these institutions.  Inmates do not need to be Catholic to participate in this program.  Upon release, they are assisted with housing, educational and job opportunities.

Volunteer Network

The program is dependent on volunteers who are willing to provide ministry to anyone currently in prisons and jails and to provide support to clients in Pre-Release and Aftercare to assist in a successful transition to a productive life as they are integrated back into society.

Victim Support

We must not forget that victims are often underserved after a crime.  As our Criminal Justice Ministry continues to grow, a major goal is to establish our third component of support programs and services for victims.

To become involved in or for more information about our Criminal Justice Ministry Program, contact Ted Luckett at 502-637-9786 or tluckett@archlou.org

Criminal Justice News

In April or 2008, President Bush signed the Second Chance Act of 2007.   This federal legislation is designed to ensure the safe and successful return of prisoners into the community.  Learn more at http://reentrypolicy.org/government_affairs/second_chance_act