By DAVID ONG
PICTURE
this. It is February 2007. About 100 people rise at the sound
of the bell at 5.30 am. At 6 am, they are gathered in song and
prayer at the morning devotion. After breakfast, they are off
to their Bible classes till it is mid-morning and time for work.
At 3 pm, they gather as a community of believers once again for
sharing and to pray for one another. After dinner, small groups
gather for Christian courses and cell meetings. And just before
bedtime, all members devote to Quiet Time with the Lord.
Church camp? No. Bible college? No.
Prison rehabilitation programme? Yes. Really. What man cannot
fathom being possible, God will make a way.
Early 2006 marks the start of
the new Christian faith-based rehabilitation programme launched
jointly by the Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS) and the Singapore
Prison Service (SPS), named "Back to Genesis".
Faith-based rehabilitation is an approach to offender rehabilitation
that is Christ-centred. It seeks to achieve transformation within
participants through the power of Jesus Christ and based firmly
upon the Word of God. Participants undergoing the programme acquire
Christian values and principles that guide their lives upon release
from prisons.
Originating from Brazil in the 1970s, the movement known as APAC
was founded - The Association for the Protection and Assistance
of the Convicted, or "Amando al Proximo, Amaras a Cristo",
i.e., Loving your neighbour, you will love Christ. APAC survived
numerous setbacks through the years, continuing to set many prisoners
free through the power of Christ.
Since then APAC has become operational at various levels at more
than 130 sites in 12 states throughout Brazil, as well as being
replicated in a number of other Latin-American countries. Currently,
countries such as the United States, New Zealand, Australia and
Taiwan operate faith-based units within the correctional setting.
The evidence from rigorous evaluation conducted on programmes
run in Brazil, the US and New Zealand testify to the awesome work
of the Lord through faith-based rehabilitation.
Recidivism rates for participants
in these programme were always way below the national averages
(secular rehabilitation recidivism rates in these countries range
from 25 to 60 per cent) compared with the rest of the prison population:
8 per cent in the United States, 7 per cent in New Zealand, and
16 per cent in Brazil
"Back to Genesis" will run over three phases for a duration
of up to 18 months for the pre-release (in-prison) phase and up
to 12 months for the post-release (in-community) phase.
Work with families and children is crucial as incarceration has
its impact on the participants' family members as well. Programmes
such as the "Angel Tree Programme", reaching out to
children of participants, will commence. Reconciliation between
participants and families is also a key feature of Phase One.
"The Sycamore Tree Project" will anchor the reconciliation
component.
Love, acceptance and support
from
the Church - Yellow Ribbon, a symbol
of forgiveness and reconciliation,
seen at the foot of the cross at
Living Hope Methodist Church.
Yet another
key component of "Back to Genesis" is the Mentoring
Programme. Mentors from receiving churches in the community will
be matched with a member of the programme. They will meet weekly
in prison commencing at Phase 2 of the programme, and continuing
till the member is released.
Upon release from prison, the members will continue their Christian
walk in society and the community of believers in partnership
with their mentors. The mentors will continue to support the reintegration
of the participants, with support from aftercare managers, in
the areas of employment, family relationships, church life and
spiritual growth. The participants' completion of the programme
will come after 12 months of post-release.
The evaluation of the programme's effectiveness will be given
serious consideration.
With the projected success of
this programme, the rate of growth over the next five years is
expected to result in more than 1,000 prisoners being set free
from the grasp of the enemy. These redeemed ones are also expected
to be not only the fruits of the Lord's harvest, but are also
likely to be harvestors of fields. Men will return as pastors,
Bible counsellors, addictions counsellors, aftercare specialists
and mentors of future members of the programme.
A project of this magnitude calls
for ministry workers to band together, united by His grace and
love, and rise up to serve. "Back to Genesis" will require
theologically-trained Bible counsellors, mentors, nurturing receiving
churches, professionally-trained addiction counsellors, Christian
employers, worship leaders and people with unique ministry skills.
If you feel led to be a part of this project or have further queries,
please contact Mr Leon Stewart of PFS @ 6542-7678 (Office) or
9199-3815 (Mobile).
David Ong is the Executive Chairman of Prison Fellowship Singapore and Secretary to the International Board, Prison Fellowship International.