RESTITUTION, RECONCILIATION, AND RESTORATION

Exploring the spiritual journey of converted prisoners through the Biblical concepts of RESTITUTION, RECONCILIATION AND RESTORATION, the folks at R.J. Donovan Correctional facility have put together a thought-provoking trio of documentary videos.

The videos depict prison life honestly and without melodrama, calling upon the body of Christ to reach out to convicts before and after their release. It declares the redeeming work of Christ as the only effective method of rehabilitation.

Overcrowded conditions and idleness often result in prison violence, but the inmate’s greatest obstacle is his own sinful nature. The prison system doesn’t adequately address the problems of the inner man, and many inmates often leave worse than when they arrived.

Evidently, the return rate is as high as 65-85%. The redeemed men of R.J. Donovan strive to beat these odds, however, having found the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

“RESTITUTION is putting these guys to work, and providing some means of paying society back. Being locked up isn’t paying society back: it’s creating a greater debt. We spend $20,000 a year keeping them here,” explains Chaplain “Buzz” Brewer.

The Biblical concept of restitution (Exodus 22:3) is implemented in a work program in which inmates are employed in private industry, with a portion of their wages going to the victim. The program also provides for the inmate’s family, and leaves him with some savings upon release.

“When (the inmate) comes out of prison, he’ll have a little nest egg. He will be helping his family, paying restitution to his victim, and spend time performing a service to society,” explains Warden John Ratelle.

“Many (inmates) have been takers all their life. They’ve used people, abused them, and thrown them away. People are for their benefit, to take from. They need to see that they have a responsibility to these people. This program would give them that,” explains Chaplain Buzz.

One inmate says his conversion to Christ forced him to accept responsibility for his crime, and another says the best restitution is to give one’s life to Jesus.

After restitution, the next step is Reconciliation toward God and Man. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Matthew 5:21-24).

“A lot of people coming here treat God like a cosmic bellhop. We try to teach them that God helps those who help themselves, that Christianity is a responsibility,” said Chaplain Buzz.

Inmate Tommy, wearing a “There’s Power in Jesus” T-shirt, gives a touching example of God’s redemptive power. Tommy had been abused as a child. At a Bible study, he encountered a fellow inmate who is incarcerated for child molestation. With God’s help, Tommy overcame his anger and embraced his brother, not counting his sin against him.

The final and most crucial point of the video series emphasizes the inmate’s need for Restoration (Galatians 6:1-2) to society. Ex-cons are often stigmatized by the public, including Christians. While the church offers the parolee a pew and not much else, his worldly buddies are ready to house him, clothe him, feed him, and get him back into trouble.

“If a man comes here, finds the Lord and gets saved, this may be the only church he has ever known. Then he goes outside and people say, `Oh yes, that’s the man from Donovan. We’re glad to have him in our church, but don’t let him sit by my daughter,'” reflects Chaplain Buzz.

“Mind you, not everybody who comes out of here is ready to sit by somebody’s daughter, but we have to bend and show love for them. We need to be look after them as Christian brothers,” Chaplain Buzz adds.

The Chaplain believes a man needs three things to go straight: a good church, a good job and a good wife. “If a man can find these three things, he won’t be back here,” he says.

Demonstrating an alternative is volunteer Wayne Culp. He acts as a mentor to an inmate, visiting him once a month for 2 1/2 hours to discuss goals, problems and progress made. Forming this accountability relationship allows the released inmate to walk out of prison into an active role in the church, and be welcomed as a brother, not a stranger.

“The scriptural principles of RESTITUTION, RECONCILIATION AND RESTORATION can be enacted today. They work toward the healing of the community, the victim and the offender,” concludes host Tony Burton.

This is not a state-of-the art film series, but its quality comes from the character of each man, and the relevance of the message. It resounds the truth of Paul’s words to the Galatians (6:1a): “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.”

The videos will inspire anyone who feels burdened for prison ministry. It proclaims the power of the One who came “to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness” (Isaiah 42:7).