USA (MNN) — The average length of a prison sentence in America is two and a half years. It’s no coincidence that after two and a half years, Crossroads Prison Ministries noticed a high rate of dropouts halfway through their prisoner student Bible study program.
Joe Pryor, President and CEO of Crossroads says, “So what happens is the large number of people who make up that average sentence length, a lot of them are involved in Crossroads, but they’re just getting out of prison. They’re leaving, and that’s why we see a large number of those dropouts.”
To give students with shorter prison sentences a complete Bible study experience, Crossroads is creating a new starting curriculum with 19 lessons.
Pryor explains, “Everyone will do that [new curriculum]. After that though, if a person has less than six months remaining on their sentence, rather than lose them,…we’re going to create a re-entry track.
(Photo courtesy of Crossroads Prison Ministries)
“That re-entry track will be lessons such as going home, community and the family, work and housing, staying sober, staying out, hitting the gate on day one — all of that from a biblical perspective with lessons that will help them use their faith as a way to transition out of prison and successfully back into the community.”
“Then if someone has more than 18 months remaining on their sentence after they complete that first 19 lessons, then we go to a more Crossroads in-depth curriculum — that will be things like God’s great story, the Sermon on the Mount, a renewed mind, theology of missions — and give those individuals who, unfortunately, are staying in prison longer a really strong deep-dive into God’s Word.”
The new curriculum won’t be available for some time, but you can always get involved now by becoming a mentor with Crossroads! Click here to learn more about Crossroads mentors.
“We really believe that this will serve our students well and help them to go home, stay home, and to not only stay out of trouble but live fruitful, successful lives after they get out of prison.”
Pray for men and women in prison to know the grace of Jesus Christ and be strengthened in their faith while serving time.
Header image courtesy of Crossroads Prison Ministries.
