What is the Jericho Project?
In two of Nashville’s prisons, there is now hope for incarcerated men. It is called The Jericho Project, an unprecedented prison re-entry and aftercare ministry. In partnership with Corrections Corporation of America, Men of Valor operates a 52-bed housing unit at the prison on Harding Place in Nashville where we conduct a full-time, intensive, faith-based prerelease program.
The Jericho Project is a two-phase program that begins while the prisoner is still incarcerated. The program starts with a minimum of 10-12 months of prerelease curriculum and is then complemented by an additional 12 months of aftercare mentoring once the prisoner is released into the community. Prisoners volunteer for the program, are screened before they are accepted and are housed separately from the rest of the prison population.
Core programs emphasize the prisoners' need for restoration with God, family, community and society. We work with the prisoners all day, five to six days a week. The core program areas of the curriculum include:
- One-on-one mentoring (each inmate is matched with a mentor)
- What is a real man?
- Responsibility in the workplace
- Breaking of criminal thinking
- Impact of crimes on victims
- Parent training
- Marriage training
- Personal values and morality based on in-depth Biblical training
- Money management
- Computer training
- Overcoming addictions
- Aftercare to include job and housing assistance
- Transitional housing
- Follow-up mentoring for a minimum of 12 months
The materials used in Men of Valor's teaching and training program are mainstream, faith-based materials with proven track records. They will not be radical in any way from a doctrinal standpoint.
The majority (75%) of the men we work with at Men of Valor are fathers. The Jericho Project is an incredible opportunity to give these incarcerated fathers the tools they need to change their lives and their family's legacy. This program provides a firm foundation for personal growth and a solid start for these men as they reenter society.
For more information on The Jericho Project contact: