Helping Inmates Transition Into Society

Written by: Emily Tallman on July 27, 2010

Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Karen Swanson, director of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College; Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Northland’s senior pastor; and Gretchen Kerr, who leads Northland’s prison ministry efforts.

This past weekend, we had the privilege to host the Billy Graham Center/Wheaton College Transition Coach Training here at Northland at Longwood. Early Saturday morning, 55 people from various faiths, backgrounds and ministries gathered together to learn important strategies and roles for a person who would mentor or coach an individual coming out of prison or jail into society. The presenter, Dr. Karen Swanson, brought to this training her personal experience as a mentor, transition coach and is the director of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.

It did not take long into the training to realize that this important information was applicable not only when helping those who have been incarcerated but also in the interactions with individuals that ministries serve each day. In the session titled Transitioning Out of Poverty, the lesson began with understanding that Poverty occurs in all races and countries and each individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class in which he/she was raised. Going deeper into the subject of hidden rules it was interesting to learn that many topics are viewed differently in each economic class. By understanding and individual and their deep hidden rules and values, it is vital to reaching them where they are in a ministry setting.

As the Healing and Transition Program begins to minister to those returning from jail, or Returning Citizens, it is important that each individual that will touch the lives of these Returning Citizens and their families is provided the training they need to successfully begin their ministry. The Central Florida Community and Healing and Transition Program will find its strength in these 55 pioneers who have committed to serving others and joining together to help those who need Hope and Community.