Incarceration forum?

[Ortho_Cat]

Ok, I know the name doesn't sound too swift, but what about a forum for those who have been previously incarcerated or have family and friends who are/have been incarcerated? People who come out of jail/prison and those who have loved ones in there really need help support and encouragement from the Christian community...the system can be really tough on individuals and their families.

So what do you guys think? Probably put it in the recovery section I would imagine...

after all, there are several bible verses about vising those who are sick and in prison...this could be an extension of that ministry.

 

[arborvita]

Lets start with a thread first and see what happens from there

 

[Chaplain David]

I'd be happy to be invoved.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

Sounds good. Should we start a thread to gage interest, or to discuss actual topics related to the prison ministry? Also where would we put it, in Recovery or maybe Christian Ministries?

Maybe we could put the thread in one section for a while then move it the another, and see which area responds to it the best.

Thanks for offering assistance, sacerdote

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Thought - perhaps start a thread somewhere in the Mens area, that way there's a little more privacy.

 

[arborvita]

Lets just an incarceration thread in the mens forum then we can gauge the need for a forum off that.

 

[Chaplain David]

Lets just an incarceration thread in the mens forum then we can gauge the need for a forum off that.

Here's what I think so far. Males make up the majority of offenders. However females, make up a large percentage of family members and friends. If it's put in the men's forum we'd only be getting responses from the guys which I don't think we're going to get that great of a response from anyway. My hunch is that it's going to be family members who will be the bulk of the participants if this idea from Ortho which I think is a good one takes off.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

I agree with you - perhaps there could be a counterpart thread for families in the women's section?

 

[arborvita]

Okay fine....

 

[Ortho_Cat]

I have posted two threads, one each in the men's and women's corners.

Here are links to them:

men's: http://www.christianforums.com/t7573740/

women's: http://www.christianforums.com/t7573743/#post57922766

Thanks everyone, let me know what you all think, and thanks again sacerdote for kindly offering your support for this!

 

[Criada]

I'll keep an eye on the ladies' one

 

[Ortho_Cat]

I'll keep an eye on the ladies' one

Thanks, Criada! After thinking about it, I probably should have had one of you ladies start the thread in there instead of myself... oh well

 

[BlondieLashes]

I think it's a fabulous idea and would be willing to help as much as I can. I have been arrested and convicted before myself ... Got a good lawyer and avoided actual jail time, but had to do lots of community service. I know it can be a really scary and lonely time.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

I think it's a fabulous idea and would be willing to help as much as I can. I have been arrested and convicted before myself ... Got a good lawyer and avoided actual jail time, but had to do lots of community service. I know it can be a really scary and lonely time.

Thanks for your input and offering of assistance, Blondie! I really hope this ministry turns out to be helpful for those in need

 

[Ortho_Cat]

Also, I think it would be a good idea to extend this ministry to those who may have been convicted of a crime, yet not placed within the prison system itself (i.e. those on probation, etc.)

 

[BlondieLashes]

Also, I think it would be a good idea to extend this ministry to those who may have been convicted of a crime, yet not placed within the prison system itself (i.e. those on probation, etc.)

Great idea! I was on probation for 7 years.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

It seems that the men's thread really hasn't seen much activity. I think this is due to the general nature of conversation in the men's corner (the main area) which seems to be rather lighthearted. Perhaps we could move that thread to gage interest in another area (and leave a redirect in the men's area?)

Also, I think I will change the OP to include those who were on probation/work release also.