Welcome Pastors and Family members, the information on this page are resources to help you take the next steps to navigate through the criminal justice system, and walk with your justice-involved loved one.
Correctional Ministry Briefs
____________________________
Please feel free to use any of the templates below for your ministry needs
The Criminal Justice System and Going to Court
For most people, learning to navigate the criminal justice system is new. The following terms, definitions, and processes provide a basic understanding of what you may encounter as you journey with a person who is accused of committing a crime and brought to court.
Clergy Visit Template
This is a template for a clergy visit at the Dupage County Jail. This template, however, can be used for your own county jail.
Adult Jail Visitation for Families
Terms, definitions, do’s and don’ts of adult jail visitation, and how to post bond for families.
Ministry With Families of the Incarcerated
Families with a loved one behind bars are deeply impacted by their loved one’s incarceration. They need support. Find some resources and tips on how to give and receive help.
READING RECOMMENDATIONS
_________________________________________________________________
BOOKS
Prison Ministry: Understanding Jail and Prison Culture
By Lennie Spitale
Correctional Chaplains: Keeper of the Cloak
By W. Thomas Beckner
All Rise: Ministry With Justice-Involved Women
By Lynn O. Cooper and Karen K. Swanson
Building Bridges with Corrections Staff: Spiritually, Practically, Relationally
By Caterina Spinaris and Daria Mayotte
Staying Well: Strategies for Corrections Staff
By Caterina Spinaris, Ph.D.
Jail Ministry: Preparing Christians to Effectively Volunteer
By Karen K. Swanson
Leading Strategically: Planning for Success (Resources for Correctional Ministry Leaders and Chaplains
By Ed Stetzer and Karen K. Swanson
Pathway to Healing: A Guide to Helping Victims of Crime
By Jayne Crisp and Lisa Lampman
MINISTRY TO FAMILIES BOOKS
Arrested: Making Decisions for Yourself and Your Incarcerated Loved One
By Lennie Spitale
Sentenced: Maintaining Relationships During Incarceration
By Lennie Spitale
Released: Preparing for Your Loved One's Return Home
By Lennie Spitale and Karen Swanson
When Your Child is Arrested: A Parent's Guide to the Juvenile Justice System
By John Kinsley and Scott Larson
Recommendations for corresponding with the incarcerated
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3
JAIL TOOLKIT
______________
Jail Ministry Opportunities
A Mission Field In Our Backyard
Guide for Starting a Jail Ministry
Jail Ministry Talking Points Presentation
Jail Ministry Power Points Presentation
JUVENILE JUSTICE TOOLKIT
______________
Juvenile Justice Ministry
Starting Effective Ministry
Juvenile Justice Infographic
Juvenile Justice Organizations
Pastor Views On Prison Ministry: A Survey of Protestant Pastors
The Pastor Views on Prison Ministry was conducted by LifeWay Research. Its objectives were to quantitatively measure current church involvement in correctional ministry and to measure Protestant pastors’ experience and attitude toward engaging in ministry among those affected by incarceration.
MASS INCARCERATION
_______________________________________________________________________
The U.S. is known as the land of the free, yet more people are locked up than any other country in the world. Representing less than 5% of the world’s population, we now hold almost 25% of the world’s total prison population.
Mass incarceration is a human rights and justice issue impacting over 2.3 million adults and youth, along with their families and victims.
While mass incarceration impacts individuals and communities, the impact is felt more deeply by those who are people of color and the poor. Mass incarceration is an issue that has been largely ignored by the Church. Now is the time for the Church to speak up about the injustices ad respond with justice, mercy, and compassion.
Check out the videos from the GC2 Summit on Mass Incarceration.
About Correctional Ministries Institute
____________________________________________________________________________________
CMI Award
The Correctional Ministries Institute, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, annually presents this award to individuals in recognition of years of faithful service to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the incarcerated.
Training
The Correctional Ministries Institute is a training and resource center for those who share the gospel within the correctional community.
CMI Leadership
Leaders pursue the goals of CMI through networks, collaboration, and strategic partnerships that provide leadership and training to those engaged in correctional ministries for the advancement of the gospel.
Charles W. Colson Scholarship
The Charles W. Colson Scholarship provides former prisoners with a college education and life formation program that develops them as Christian leaders.