JAIL AND PRISON MINISTRY

Pages 8 - 13

KEY VERSE:
. . . I was in prison, and you came to me. (Matthew 25:36)

OBJECTIVES:
Upon conclusion of this lesson you will be able to:

 Provide references for the scriptural mandate for prison ministry.
 Explain why believers should be involved in prison ministry.
 Articulate the spiritual goals of jail and prison ministry.
 List the social goals of jail and prison ministry.
 Summarize what the Gospel has to offer prison inmates.
 Determine your role in prison ministry.

INTRODUCTION
Barbed wire. Steel bars and heavy metal doors. Guard towers with armed officers. Criminals. This is prison!
-Society says, “Lock them up and throw away the key.”
-Politicians say, “We need to build more prisons.”
-Statistics say, “80% of inmates return to prison after release--we are wasting our time to try to rehabilitate them.”

. . . But Jesus says, “I was in prison, and you came to me.”
The prison system is the only "business" that succeeds by its failure. Prison populations grow larger and larger. Often, people come out of prison worse than when they went in. Many commit more crimes, return to prison, and get stuck in the cycle of recidivism, the "revolving door" of crime, prison, and release

Pages 14- 19

KEY VERSE:
. . . be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in
faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

OBJECTIVES:
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Summarize the spiritual qualifications for a prison ministry worker.
 Identify four areas of preparation vital to effective prison ministry.

INTRODUCTION
Those who minister with inmates must be sure of their relationship with Christ, set a proper example, and always be ready to give an answer for the hope within them. While a person called to this ministry should demonstrate all the spiritual virtues taught in the Word, this chapter emphasizes the essential qualifications prison workers should possess: SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATIONS.

Pages 20- 30

KEY VERSE:
But this is a people robbed and plundered; all of them are snared in holes,
and they are hidden in prison houses; they are for prey, and no one delivers;
for plunder, and no one says, “Restore!” (Isaiah 42:22)

OBJECTIVES:
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Summarize the steps for starting a prison ministry.
 Identify various types of ministries which you might provide in an institution.
 Prepare and submit a proposal for prison ministry.
 Recruit and train volunteers.

INTRODUCTION
You are convinced. The Biblical mandate and example are clear. As a believer, you want to be involved in prison ministry. But how do you start? How do you gain access to the prison? This chapter details steps for starting a jail or prison ministry. You will learn various types of ministries which you might provide in an institution, how to prepare and submit a proposal for your program, and ways to recruit and train volunteers.

Pages 31- 34

KEY VERSE:
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God,
that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to
believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

 Explain how to get started corresponding with an inmate.
 Summarize guidelines for corresponding with inmates.

INTRODUCTION
This chapter is for those who wish to be involved in a correspondence ministry with jail or prison inmates. It explains how to get started and presents guidelines for safe and effective correspondence.

HOW TO GET STARTED
First, contact the proper authorities at the institution. Some prisons provide programs that match inmates to “friends outside” for corresponding and/or visits. If the prison does not have such a program, contact the chaplain for names of those who need someone to write to them. Second, obtain a list of the rules for corresponding with inmates at that specific prison. Most institutions have established, written rules that govern correspondence. These differ from institution to institution. Some prisons permit you to send stamps and stationary through the mail, soft cover books, Gospel tracts, Bibles, and cassette tapes. Other institutions have specific procedures for sending such materials, i.e., the book must come directly from the publisher. Some institutions do not permit inmates to receive any of these items through the mail.

Pages 35 - 38

KEY VERSE:
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--
since you yourselves are in the body also. (Hebrews 13:3).

OBJECTIVES:
 Explain why personal visitation is an important ministry.
 Explain how to get involved in one-on-one visitation with inmates.
 Summarize guidelines for visiting individually with an inmate.

INTRODUCTION
Many inmates in jails and prisons have no one to visit them:
-Their family may live a great distance from where they are incarcerated or do not have
the necessary transportation/finances to visit.
-Their family may have rejected them or they may have no family.
-Former friends may have rejected them.
Personal visits with an inmate is one of the most rewarding areas of jail and prison ministry. This chapter explains its importance, details how to get involved, and offers guidelines for visiting individually with inmates.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL VISITATION
Visiting an inmate on a one-on-one basis is an important ministry for the following reasons:
-Every soul is valuable to God: “The Lord is not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus ministered to multitudes, but He always had time for the individual (for an example, see John 4).
-Many inmates will not attend religious services. Perhaps they have been “turned off” to the church by negative experiences. They may also be afraid going to prison services will be interpreted as weakness by other inmates and make them vulnerable.

Pages 39-46

KEY VERSE:
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
(Matthew 9:36).

OBJECTIVES:
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Identify various types of group meetings that can be conducted in jails and prisons.
 Summarize guidelines for conducting group meetings.

INTRODUCTION
Many jails and prisons offer opportunities for group ministries to inmates. This chapter identifies various types of group ministries and suggested guidelines for conducting the groups.

TYPES OF GROUP MEETINGS
There are many types of Christian group meetings to conduct in a prison:
-Worship services
-Bible studies
-Music classes (to train vocalists, musicians, or a choir for the prison worship services)
-Musical and dramatic presentations
-Christian writing
-Small groups offering a Christian approach to addiction and/or emotional problems
-Parenting classes
-Bible college courses
-Discipleship classes for new believers

Remember to follow the guidelines given in Chapter Three of this manual for preparing and
submitting your proposal to the institution

Pages 47- 51

KEY VERSE:
“. . .and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

OBJECTIVES:
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:

 Explain why inmate’s families are often in crisis.
 Identify ways in which you can minister to inmate’s families.
 Summarize guidelines for ministering to inmate’s families.

INTRODUCTION
Thousands of families are directly affected each year by having one of their loved ones in a prison or jail. Most of these families are broken and filled with loneliness, anxiety, and feelings of rejection. Few of these families receive adequate attention from the church. God told Abraham that through him, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” As spiritual heirs of Abraham, we too can bless families. This chapter explores ways you and/or your church can be involved in ministering to the families of inmates.

UNDERSTANDING THE CRISIS
When a family member is arrested, it usually creates great anxiety, fear, and uncertainty for their mate, children, or parents. Imprisonment brings a double crisis to a family. The first crisis is that one of the family members has been arrested for breaking some law. The second crisis is that the family is split apart. Losing a family member to imprisonment is similar to the person dying.
Children face shame and loss when a parent is in prison. They may be displaced, having to live with relatives, friends, foster homes, or in institutions. Many do not get to visit the incarcerated parent--perhaps because of court orders, distance from the prison, or the financial situation of those keeping them which prohibits visiting (costs for transportation, food, housing).

Pages 52- 56

KEY VERSE:
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of
thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die. (Psalms 79:11)

 
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Explain how to start a ministry to death row inmates.
 Discuss guidelines for ministering to death row inmates.
 Explain how to help a death row inmate prepare to die.

INTRODUCTION
Some prisons have “death rows”--special units where prisoners are housed who have been
condemned to death by the legal system of their nation, state, or province. These inmates are
usually kept in segregated or maximum security facilities. Death row is a unique segment of the
penal institution, and this chapter is designed to help you minister effectively in this environment.

Pages 57-62

KEY VERSE:
. . .To open blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that
sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isaiah 42:7)

 
 Identify common needs of ex-offenders.
 Describe types of post-prison ministries.
 List steps for starting a post-prison ministry.
 Determine your role in post-prison ministry.

INTRODUCTION
Some prisoners are released after serving their entire sentence as prescribed by law. In some legal jurisdictions, after completing part of their sentence, prisoners are eligible to go before a parole board. If granted parole before finishing their sentence, they are released with certain conditions, such as reporting regularly, not associating with ex-felons, and restrictions governing living and working arrangements. Conditions for release vary and are usually set by the court, a parole board, or a parole officer.

Inmates being released from prison have many needs as they reenter society. This chapter will help you identify these needs, understand various types of post-prison ministries, and define your role in ministering to ex-offenders.

Pages 63- 68

KEY VERSE:
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to them that are bound. . . (Isaiah 61:1)

Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Demonstrate understanding of institutional security levels.
 Discuss differences between jails, prisons, and other facilities.
 Discuss common inmate typology.
 Explain how to deal with inmates who maintain their innocence.

INTRODUCTION
Are some inmates considered more dangerous than others? Are there any differences between a jail and a prison? Do inmates share any common characteristics? How do you respond to someone who maintains their innocence? These are key issues that are addressed in this chapter.

INSTITUTIONAL TYPOLOGY
Each jail and prison is unique, but most institutions are classified by the type of inmates they
house:
-Maximum security institutions: These house inmates that are the greatest risk, perhaps due to the nature of their crime or their behavior in prison. Death rows are usually located in maximum security institutions. These inmates have very close supervision and their participation in institutional programs run by volunteers is
sometimes restricted.

Pages 69- 73

KEY VERSE:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by
God. (Romans 13:1)

 
Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Describe dress codes applicable for all penal institutions.
 Summarize safety codes applicable for all penal institutions.
 Give guidelines for surviving a hostage incident.

INTRODUCTION
Most penal institutions have specific dress and safety codes. Be sure to inquire about these, and  ask for them in writing if they are available. In this chapter, you will learn general dress and safety codes applicable to all institutions. You will also learn how to survive a hostage incident, in the rare instance that one should ever occur. 

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
Each jail and prison usually has a dress code that applies to their specific institution. For example, some institutions prohibit volunteers and visitors from wearing colors that resemble inmate or guard uniforms. Be sure to ask about the rules for the specific institution you are visiting. Here are some general rules of appropriate attire applicable to all institutions:
-Do not wear tight, form fitting clothing.
-Do not wear low cut necklines.
-Avoid tee shirts with emblems and slogans as an outer garment.
-No gang-related attire.
-Do not wear see-through or revealing clothing.
-No shorts.

Pages 74- 81

KEY VERSE:
. . .in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may
come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken
captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:25-26)

Upon conclusion of this chapter you will be able to:
 Explain the first rule for relating with inmates.
 Summarize guidelines for relating to inmates.
 Define a “setup.”
 Explain how a setup occurs.
 List three ways to avoid a setup.

INTRODUCTION
As a member of a prison ministry team, you represent Jesus Christ--not yourself. You are His ambassador. By your actions, words and/or dress, you can help or hinder the work of His Church behind bars.

Building relationships is not easy outside a prison and it isn't easy inside the prison. Some inmates may not be interested in spiritual matters. Some may completely reject you. Others may try to use you to further their own ends. It may help to recall Jesus' parable of the sower of seed and the four kinds of soil upon which the seed fell. Inmates, like everyone else, will fit into one of those categories. This chapter provides guidelines for successfully relating to inmates in a jail or prison setting.

Pages 82

This manual provides general guidelines for ministry applicable to most jail and prison settings.
This final section is reserved for insertion of specific guidelines unique to the institution in which you will be ministering.

Pages 83- 103

Read through the conclusion and all appendices in course guide.  There is no test for this course.

Please be advised, to earn the certificate below, all 4 courses must be completed.  Certificates are NOT issued to single courses. 

 Certificate: Jail and Prison Ministry Training Course
Jail and Prison Ministry
Teaching Tactics
Ministry of The Holy Spirit
Leaven-Like Evangelism

Please advise that this course form is only for students working on the certificate course mentioned above.  

Download attached form and submit your answers via email below: 

sosmbibletraining@yahoo.com