PRISON MINISTRIES

Here are some facts that will help you realize the gruesome reality behind imprisonment:

  • More than 2 million men and women are incarcerated
  • 95{f13d1d007e4405a1da14b51f7041234b1a0fc0ce8dd175befdacf4d656dbcc04} of prisoners are released
  • This year alone, more than 600 thousand will return to the community
  • Two out three get rearrested
  • 2.7 million children have parents that are in prison

If we don’t intervene, these numbers will continue to grow.

But what if things could be different?

As Christians, we believe that Jesus, Himself, was brought to trial, executed, buried, and brought to life again—offering healing, hope, and a new purpose of life for all of us. Even the most broken situations and people can be made whole again. Through a fantastic awakening to new life purpose and hope, those who once broke the law can be transformed and prepared to serve their fellow beings. Thus the cycle of crime is replaced by a cycle of renewal.

What if you could help bring a rehabilitation program to a prison that would support an inmate to be sent back to his family and community as a new man—a man having the ability to resolve conflict peacefully? What if you could become a part of an inmate’s support system as they work to become a contributing member for the community?

Through RedShirt, you can!

Saturday Ministries

  •  On the 3rd and 4th Saturday’s of each month, RedShirt Ministers facilitate a Communion Service or Liturgy of the Word for inmates.
  •  The service follows the standard Catholic missellette
  •  RedShirt Band plays Christian music side-by-side with the inmate band
  • Volunteers pastor and listen to inmates

Evenings

Evening visits are conducted at Dominguez State Jail which begins at 7 pm and ends at 9 pm.

Other Important Aspects of Our Prison Ministry

Scriptural Support

  • The Lord said for I was “in prison, and you visited me.” Mat 25:36
  • “The LORD sets prisoners free.” Psalm 142: 7 also has a message for the ministry: “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.”
  • Being the Lord sets the prisoners free so they might praise Him, our mission is to deliver the Word of God to them with people, books, classes and with dorm pastors.
  • Numbers 6:22-27: “The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites (prison ministry). Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Israelites (on the prison ministry), and I will bless them.”

Volunteer Safety

Volunteer safety is a primary concern for RedShirt. Safety measures will be discussed during prison training. Volunteers that are new will be mentored closely by experienced prison ministers. Here is how we ensure our volunteer’s safety:

  • Volunteer safety is a primary concern. Safety measures will be discussed during prison training.
  • New volunteers will be closely mentored by experienced prison ministers. Volunteers will not be required to act in any way that they feel unsafe.

Training

  • Training is provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
  • Onsite training at prison facilities is provided by experienced volunteers

Dorm Pastors

  • Dorm Pastors visit inmates during the week
  • Visit the inmate dorms to pastor and listen to their needs.

Delivering Christmas Cards to Inmates

RedShirt, as a symbol of Christ’s love and compassion, hold a drive every Christmas to distribute Christmas cards among the prison inmates. Go through our calendar and donations section if you wish to contribute to this act of kindness.

Reintegration Program

  • We coordinate with other programs that help inmates with reintegration to society
  • We will provide a list of reintegration partners

River Rule

  • During the course of visiting inmates, they may disclose personal information about their past. Every volunteer agrees not to repeat confidential information learned from inmates to third parties.  Repeating confidential information disclosed by an inmate is grounds for immediate dismissal.
  • The River Rule DOES NOT override rules established by prisons and therefore, any information that is relevant to the safety of prison officers or any other individual must be reported to the appropriate prison officials.