What is the Problem?
IMAGINE: "Hitting bottom" and facing the justice of "doing your time" in prison... now imagine your family and friends are not there to help you because you have "burned your bridges." Imagine leaving in your prison blues – maybe not marked with the numbers you have come to be recognized by, yet feeling marked for life. Questions rattle you as you contemplate starting over with no money, no resources, and a reputation in the form of a record you must disclose. Wanting to start a new life is your heart's desire... you don't want to be one of the seven out of ten individuals going back behind those bars again. Where do you go?
THE COST: According to the National Institute of Corrections, the crime rate for the State of Tennessee is currently 23.66% higher than the national average. The state of Tennessee has projected that the inmate population will increase another 22% over the next six years, with costs skyrocketing 40%. In January 2008, here in Tennessee we had 43,613 men and women in our prisons and jails. Many of these will be repeat offenders. Far too many! Nationally, 70% will return! The Tennessee Department of Corrections budget for 2012 will be $845,000,000. This is not counting jail costs, probation and parole, judges, lawyers and the multitude of "hidden costs," such as:
- Victim costs
- Welfare
- TennCare
- Property costs
- Loss of tax revenue
- Increased law enforcement
- Break-up of families
- Increased homelessness
According to the Tennessee comptroller, one unemployed ex-offender who is using drugs will commit over 100 new crimes a year! For the welfare of all citizens in our state, we absolutely must break this destructive cycle.
Prisoners are simply not getting the help they need to break this vicious cycle. Crime not only affects the lives of those who are incarcerated, it affects the lives of all citizens – as our feelings of safety are eroded and our hard-earned dollars go toward taxes to house these prisoners. It completely disrupts the lives of prisoners' children, whom statistics predict will be more likely to become felons themselves.
The great majority – 97% or more – of incarcerated felons will be released from prison. What type of person do we want released back into society? The same person who went in, who is now even more full of anger, resentment and rage and even more likely to commit serious crimes? Or a person changed and committed to living a positive, honest life?
Men of Valor is committed to winning men in prison to Jesus Christ and discipling them. Our purpose is to equip them to re-enter society as men of integrity; "becoming givers to the community rather than takers."
For more information on the The Problem contact: