Imagine Life Behind Bars. . . The anatomy of a prison cell. Absence of usual privileges. Going to prison is like going to an alien world. No refrigerator, kitchen, private bathroom.

2. • Theanatomy of aprison cell.Theanatomy of aprison cell.
• Absenceof usual privileges.Absenceof usual privileges.
• Going to prison islikegoing to an alien world.Going to prison islikegoing to an alien world.
• No refrigerator, kitchen, privatebathroom.No refrigerator, kitchen, privatebathroom.
Imagine Life Behind Bars. . .Imagine Life Behind Bars. . .

3. • Sheno longer hascontrol over her space.Sheno longer hascontrol over her space.
• Women areoften incarcerated far from home.Women areoften incarcerated far from home.
• Fastest growing segment of theprison population.Fastest growing segment of theprison population.
Imagine Life Behind Bars. . .

4. Descriptive Analysis of the Female PrisonerDescriptive Analysis of the Female Prisoner
 The vast majority are poor.The vast majority are poor.
 Most were unemployed priorto incarceration.Most were unemployed priorto incarceration.
 Ethnic groups comprise the largestEthnic groups comprise the largest segment ofsegment of
the prison population.the prison population.
 Most women prisoners are mothers.Most women prisoners are mothers.

5. Descriptive Analysis of the Female Prisonercont’dDescriptive Analysis of the Female Prisonercont’d
 Female incarceration has increased by 138%.Female incarceration has increased by 138%.
 Success forwomen prisoners is rare.Success forwomen prisoners is rare.
 Female prisoners have low self-concepts.Female prisoners have low self-concepts.
 Most have morality issues, have been misused by men,Most have morality issues, have been misused by men,
and addicted to drugs froma young age.and addicted to drugs froma young age.

6.  Drug offenses account formore than half of theDrug offenses account formore than half of the
female population in state prisons.female population in state prisons.
 One in three females are incarcerated fordrugOne in three females are incarcerated fordrug
abuse.abuse.
 Violent offenses account for20% of the femaleViolent offenses account for20% of the female
prison population.prison population.
 Murderaccount forone third of femaleMurderaccount forone third of female
incarceration forviolent crime.incarceration forviolent crime.
Criminal HistoryCriminal History

7. Criminal HistoryCriminal History cont’dcont’d
 Women in prison for homicide are twice as likelyWomen in prison for homicide are twice as likely
to have killed a husband or boy friend.to have killed a husband or boy friend.
 Fraud accounts for about 10% of crimesFraud accounts for about 10% of crimes
committed by women in prison.committed by women in prison.
 Seventy-one percent of all state prisoners haveSeventy-one percent of all state prisoners have
been behind bars before.been behind bars before.

8. Women and Substance AbuseWomen and Substance Abuse
o Half of the women in prison said that theHalf of the women in prison said that the
committed their crimes under the influence ofcommitted their crimes under the influence of
drugs and alcohol.drugs and alcohol.
o More than half had used drugs in the month priorMore than half had used drugs in the month prior
to their incarceration.to their incarceration.
o Two-fifths had used drugs daily.Two-fifths had used drugs daily.

9. Abuse From othersAbuse From others
• Women prisoners have significant histories ofWomen prisoners have significant histories of
physical and sexual abuse.physical and sexual abuse.
• Eighty-two percent of the women in prison haveEighty-two percent of the women in prison have
been sexually abused.been sexually abused.
• Most of them were abused before they were 18Most of them were abused before they were 18
years of age.years of age.
• Women behind bars do not like or respectWomen behind bars do not like or respect
themselves.themselves.

10. Abuse from othersAbuse from others
cont’dcont’d
• Many of them have been alcoholics or drugMany of them have been alcoholics or drug
addicts whose lives are out of control.addicts whose lives are out of control.
• Many of them are depressed and angryMany of them are depressed and angry
enough to kill themselves or someone else.enough to kill themselves or someone else.
• Many of them are con artist and will sayMany of them are con artist and will say
anything to get their way.anything to get their way.

11. Ministry to Women in PrisonMinistry to Women in Prison
 Women in prison need emotional security.Women in prison need emotional security.
 They need to know that someone cares for them.They need to know that someone cares for them.
 Women in prison need personal care throughWomen in prison need personal care through
regular visitation.regular visitation.
 Women prisoners who attend religious servicesWomen prisoners who attend religious services
regularly have lower recidivism rates.regularly have lower recidivism rates.

12. Minister to Women in Prison cont’dMinister to Women in Prison cont’d
Hebrews 13: 1 - 3, 16Hebrews 13: 1 - 3, 16
 Let mutual love continue.Let mutual love continue.
 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for byDo not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by
doing so, some have entertained angels withoutdoing so, some have entertained angels without
knowing it.knowing it.
 Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, forDo not neglect to do good and share what you have, for
such sacrifices are pleasing to God.such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
 Learn to empathize.Learn to empathize.

13. Ministerto the Common NeedsMinisterto the Common Needs
TransportationTransportation
 Many inmates in prison are financially destitute and
are a long way from home. Local churches should
establish a Van Ministry and advertise a monthly
run to prison. This ministry will help family and
friends to stay connected.

14. Toiletries MinistryToiletries Ministry
 Women prisoners are often short onWomen prisoners are often short on
toiletries. Many church members aretoiletries. Many church members are
horrified at the thought of going intohorrified at the thought of going into
prisons, however, they canprisons, however, they can
participate in prison ministries byparticipate in prison ministries by
making up personal hygiene kits formaking up personal hygiene kits for
female inmatesfemale inmates

15. Volunteer Literacy MinistryVolunteer Literacy Ministry
 Fifty-eight percent of women inmatesFifty-eight percent of women inmates
are high school drop outs. There is aare high school drop outs. There is a
pressing need for literacy tutors forpressing need for literacy tutors for
high school drop outs and proctorshigh school drop outs and proctors
for college level courses. This afor college level courses. This a
rewarding ministry that the churchrewarding ministry that the church
can embark upon.can embark upon.

16. Life Skills TrainingLife Skills Training
 Women inmates have a vital need for
survival skills, skills that we take for
granted are totally foreign to them.
Things like -how to budget, how to
interview for a job, how to balance a
check book, etc.

17. Music MinistryMusic Ministry
 Provide music on a regularProvide music on a regular
basisbasis
 Organize and direct prisonOrganize and direct prison
choirs and musical groups.choirs and musical groups.
 Teach music classes and giveTeach music classes and give
music lessons.music lessons.

18.  TherapeuticTherapeutic
 ArtisticArtistic
 ExpressesloveExpresseslove
 Allows the inmate to helpAllows the inmate to help
someone in need.someone in need.

19. Alcohol Anonymous MeetingsAlcohol Anonymous Meetings
 Most women in jail are addicted toMost women in jail are addicted to
drugs and alcohol as a result ofdrugs and alcohol as a result of
being in vile family situations,being in vile family situations,
such as, violence and incest.such as, violence and incest.
 To be a member, one must have theTo be a member, one must have the
desire to stop drinking.desire to stop drinking.

20. Alcohol Anonymous MeetingsAlcohol Anonymous Meetings
 Only AA members can conduct AAOnly AA members can conduct AA
meetings.meetings.
 AA members must follow theAA members must follow the
twelve step program.twelve step program.

21. Pen Pal MinistryPen Pal Ministry
 Pray for wisdom and discernment.Pray for wisdom and discernment.
 Avoid asking, Why are you in prison?Avoid asking, Why are you in prison?
 Don’t write preachy letters.Don’t write preachy letters.
 Be positive and honest in your writing.Be positive and honest in your writing.
 Share Bible promises and funny stories.Share Bible promises and funny stories.

22. Pen Pal Ministry cont’dPen Pal Ministry cont’d
 Be regular and dependable in your writing.Be regular and dependable in your writing.
 Don’t make promises that you can’t keep.Don’t make promises that you can’t keep.
 Don’t give out your phone number andDon’t give out your phone number and
address.address.
 Don’t send money and gifts.Don’t send money and gifts.

23. Pen Pal Ministry cont’dPen Pal Ministry cont’d
 Don’t give your name, use a pen pal name.Don’t give your name, use a pen pal name.
 Don’t send in any items without approvalDon’t send in any items without approval
from prison officials.from prison officials.
 Don’t use words that will give the inmateDon’t use words that will give the inmate
the wrong impression.the wrong impression.

24. Community Reintegration MinistriesCommunity Reintegration Ministries
• Purpose: To assist women in regaining their lives,Purpose: To assist women in regaining their lives,
families and dignity.families and dignity.
• To use testimonies, experiences and expertise toTo use testimonies, experiences and expertise to
encourage women to be survivors and not victims.encourage women to be survivors and not victims.
• To share that we are living testimonies saved in theTo share that we are living testimonies saved in the
fire, not from the fire.fire, not from the fire.
• To help women deal constructively with guilt,To help women deal constructively with guilt,
shame, rejection, denial and separation anxiety.shame, rejection, denial and separation anxiety.

25. Spiritual and Religious MinistriesSpiritual and Religious Ministries
• Bible studiesBible studies
• Church services behind the walls.Church services behind the walls.
• Distribution of Inspirational materials.Distribution of Inspirational materials.
• Christian videosChristian videos

26. Ministries for Prisoners ChildrenMinistries for Prisoners Children
• Angel Tree programAngel Tree program
• Support groups for mothers and childrenSupport groups for mothers and children
• Girl Scouts beyond bars: Keeping mothers andGirl Scouts beyond bars: Keeping mothers and
daughters in touch.daughters in touch.
• ParentingParenting
• Education for moms.Education for moms.

27. Do’s for Ministering to Women InmatesDo’s for Ministering to Women Inmates
• Whether ministering in a jail or prison, obey all ofWhether ministering in a jail or prison, obey all of
the rules and regulations of the prison.the rules and regulations of the prison.
• Leave pocketbooks, wallets, briefcases, money andLeave pocketbooks, wallets, briefcases, money and
non-essentials in your car.non-essentials in your car.
• Always carry your IDAlways carry your ID
• Be prepared to submit to a search at any time.Be prepared to submit to a search at any time.
• Keep promises that you make to inmates.Keep promises that you make to inmates.

28. Do’s for Ministering toDo’s for Ministering to Women InmatesWomen Inmates
• Always consult with the institutional ChaplainAlways consult with the institutional Chaplain
or leader of your ministry group when you are inor leader of your ministry group when you are in
doubt.doubt.
• Always be a Christian friend to inmates.Always be a Christian friend to inmates.
• Share your faith with inmatesShare your faith with inmates
• Be dependableBe dependable

29. Do’s for Ministering to Women InmatesDo’s for Ministering to Women Inmates
• Be patientBe patient
• Be honestBe honest
• Be a good listenerBe a good listener
• Don’t carry items into the prison without approvalDon’t carry items into the prison without approval
from prison authorities.from prison authorities.
• Be trustworthy when someone shares with youBe trustworthy when someone shares with you
personal or confidential information.personal or confidential information.