Caring for ex-offenders
More than 50 per cent of released offenders re-offend within two years. Often they are lured into old ways and acquaintances simply because no one else will look at them. Often they will be met at the gates by undesirable characters who only want to get at the small amount of money they are given to see them through for the next day or so. Many of these ex-offenders desperately want to break the cycle of crime.
Offering a gate meeting service, a lift to the train or bus station and a simple cup of coffee and help with arrangements will be enough to help prevent re-offending. Mentoring and befriending is another simple and effective preventative measure. Welcoming an ex-offender into the church community can prove life changing for him or her.
Caring for Ex-Offender’s based at Holy Trinity Brompton, offers courses and conferences to help churches become involved in this ministry.
Caring for Ex-offenders website
Projects
Re-opening doors for ex-offenders
The Door UK, based in Southampton, supports people in prisons, ex-offenders and their families. Founder Manager Brian Sinclair visits prisoners personally as well as manahing a team of 35 volunteers around the country. The organisation works to provide support to peopel both when they are in prison and when they are released. In 2006 it received a grant from the Church Urban Fund (CUF) to help continue its work. The CUF supports projects tackling the effects of poverty in communities.
The Door UK can be contacted at: PO Box 707, Southampton, UK, SO14 3XN or by telephone on 023 8023 0950.