http://www.nationalcathedral.org/

Jesse is a convicted felon who is part of the Family and Offenders Sentencing Alternative (FOSA), a program that allows him to stay at home with his two-year-old son, Jesse Jr. (Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)

Chaplain Dan Williams piloted a program at McNeil Island many years ago that encouraged families to go to church together in the prison chapel. At the time I thought it was an example of creatively offering solutions aimed at strengthening families even when Dad is in prison.

Glad to see this program offered by the Department of Corrections. I have spent a lot of time in prison leading workshops, Bible studies and trainings (as a volunteer for those who might think otherwise!) The most heart wrenching moments are watching little girls and boys all dressed up coming to visit Daddy — in the prison visiting room! What must be going through those little minds? Any opportunity to break that mindset for a child to think that prison is normal is good in my book.

I see in this article by Brandi Kruse at mynorthwest.com that only 9 of 158 prisoners in this program have failed. That is 5.6%! Fantastic success number anywhere for any program under any circumstance.

I can’t but help but think of the words of the ancient prophet Malachi,  “And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:6

Dick Cinkovich

Click on the caption above for Brandi’s story at mynorthwest.com or the text is contained below.

A unique sentencing alternative for felons in Washington state has allowed nearly 160 offenders to avoid prison in favor of family life.

The Parent Sentencing Alternative, which was created by a state law passed in 2010 (SB 6639), identifies non-violent felons whose children would benefit from having them at home rather than incarcerated.

Children of inmates are seven times more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system themselves, according to statistics from the Department of Corrections.

Amber, a 34-year-old inmate at the Washington Correctional Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Wash., is all too familiar with that statistic. Her father was incarcerated when she was young, and later died in prison.

Now, Amber has been given an opportunity to save her young children, who are five and two, from becoming third-generation inmates. She has been given the Community Parenting Alternative, a branch of Senate Bill 6639 which allows inmates to go home up to 12 months prior to their release date.

“Here we are paying the price for what we’ve done, but being able to still be a parent. That’s a really big deal,” she said. “To do something in a positive way and to rebuild yourself and break that cycle is a great opportunity.”

Amber will be released in coming weeks, but her activity will still be strictly monitored.

“The inmates that are coming out are still inmates, but they’re in their home,” said Susan Leavell with the Department of Corrections. “So, we use electronic monitoring as a way to ensure that they are where they say they are, that they don’t leave the home without permission. It’s kind of like a virtual prison in the home.”

Leavell is program manager of another branch of the Parent Sentencing Alternative, which is called the Family and Offender Sentencing Alterative, or FOSA. A judge allows certain non-violent offenders to avoid their prison sentence altogether, in favor of staying home with their young children.

“They will waive the prison sentence – regardless of the number of years – and impose 12 months community custody,” Leavell said. “We then do an intensive supervision model and are out with offenders weekly.”

A community corrections officer is assigned to those felons, who will learn to be present parents and put their kids first. The offenders are required to read with their kids at least 20 minutes each day, and must have a library card. Meals must be eaten as a family without the distraction of television to increase communication.

“With this alternative, we’re not just supervising an offender – a felon. We’re really working with that family as a unit with the goal in mind to assist with the raising of those children,” Leavell said. “Consistency and routine is so important with kids.”

Jesse, 28, is a felon who was allowed to stay home with his 2-year-old son, Jesse Jr., rather than serve an 18-month sentence for fourth-degree assault. He is required to call his community corrections officer, Ann Watkins, everyday, and she stops in once a week to keep him on track.

“How’s he?” Watkins asks Jesse of Jesse Jr. during a visit last week.

“He’s so happy,” said Jesse. “He’s just a whole different kid.”

Jesse said his son would have been the one to suffer would he have gone to prison.

“He would have probably thought he was abandoned,” he said. “He would have probably looked at me as a stranger.”

Jesse Jr. would have been one of roughly 1.7 million children nationwide affected by incarceration. Leavell said the effect on kids is very similar to that of a death in the family or another traumatic event. Kids of prisoners are more prone to delinquency and have a higher rate of drop-out.

“We all have a vested interest in generations to come, and if there is any way we can interrupt that intergenerational incarceration which we see often, it makes total sense to do that,” she said.

The Parent Sentencing Alternative can also help battle the ballooning cost of incarceration. While the total savings is difficult to estimate, it costs roughly $31 per day to put offenders on the alternative, compared to $90 a day to incarcerate.

“I think we are really fortunate in Washington State. We have a lot of alternatives to confinement, as compared nationally,” Leavell said. “We’ve for a long time had a sex offender alternative. We have a drug offender alternative, and I think as we start to look at the increasing cost of incarceration, we have to start dealing with the population differently.”

Since June 2010, 158 offenders have been given a parenting alternative. The diversion can be revoked at any time, sending felons back to prison to serve their original sentence, with no credit for time spent in the program. Nine participants have been kicked out of the FOSA program so far, one of which was sent to prison after committing a drug-related felony while under supervision.

But, the vast majority of offenders complete the alternative successfully. The Department of Corrections works with the Children’s Administration, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Department of Health, crime victim advocates and child developmental specialists to ensure the right felons are being given the opportunity.

Brandi Kruse, 97.3 KIRO FM

My old boss and long recognized voice of Christians worldwide passed away last week. I miss him already.

Chuck, he did not want to be addressed with any title, has influenced people of all nations, colors, economic and social classes. He had a heart for those pushed aside by the rest of the world. At the same time, he was able to apply his razor sharp mind to educate, illustrate and demonstrate how we, “the little platoons” could serve and impact our neighborhoods and the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ demonstrated through our actions and words.

We were privileged to have Chuck in Washington twice during my tenure with Prison Fellowship. He loved Washington and had great hope for our work here. Walla Walla and Olympia had been two places where he had been able to have direct impact on changing the culture in a prison and influencing legislation.

I have a special needs daughter and Chuck had an autistic grandson. His daughter tells the story in a wonderful book titled, “Dancing with Max.” A unique bond is created under these conditions.

Some of my favorite memories of Chuck are from driving in the car with him and watching him deal with the off center people that are attracted to public figures, especially ones with a political bent, preacher bent and ex-convict tag. I’ve run interference for Chuck a few times and it surprised me just how aggressive people can be in their weirdness! My 6’7″ 240lb then athletic stature was little hindrance to most of them and I had to work to help keep them at a safe distance. One time, we had an event in Spokane where inmates from the local federal prison were released to help with set up and tear down. We had several share their stories. Almost all spoke of the Angel Tree ministry bringing Christmas gifts in their name to their children. Chuck was visibly moved, and, as I have described that event many times, “God showed up.” One of the inmates helping that day was a California legislator who later became the director of Chuck’s “Justice Fellowship.”

I would give him a sheet briefing him on people that I knew would be in attendance at any event we were taking him to. He always knew more about the people than was contained in the information I gave him. The man had an incredible talent for remembering people and details attached to them.

I don’t think I ever heard the words applied my way, but you never wanted to hear from anyone that Chuck had a concern about something that was going on in your area. It wasn’t that he would take negative action as he “hatchet man” reputation might warrant, it only meant that you hadn’t taken care of something that he thought should already be done. He always operated at that presidential pace and helped raise our work levels by his tireless example. I am one who is grateful for that example.

One night driving back from an event in Mt. Vernon we were talking about his co-writing books with Ellen Santilli Vaughan. Ellen is a lovely, gracious, extremely brilliant women who paints pictures in your mind to tell stories that move your heart. I told Chuck that his Harley Davidson staccato style of driving home a point to complete a well laid out, reasoned argument was what made his writing so dynamic. He looked at me in surprise and asked, “Really, you can tell which portion of a book was written by me or Ellen?” We laughed at that one because I didn’t know they thought their collaboration was mostly invisible. Ellen has since published on her own. She is a great author and I encourage you to read her books.

Just trying to give a little personal insight into a public figure. Chuck always said that he was never quite as bad as the Washington Post made him out to be nor never quite as good as his Christian friends said he was. He was humble, funny and of course extremely insightful about our nation and the world. He has always been my “go to guy” regarding the issues of life. I always looked to his opinions and thoughts about the issues of life and the Kingdom of God so I could measure and refine my responses to them.

I miss him and will mourn his loss and hope someone can wear his mantle. I do know that the Lord is faithful to raise another leader, but there will never be another Chuck Colson.

His memorial will be held at the National Cathedral in our nation’s capital. It can be viewed live online at their website, www.nationalcathedral.org 10:00 AM EST Wednesday, May 16th.

God Bless his family, friends and all those he touched as we mourn his passing.

Dick Cinkovich

Here is a movie that shows a better way to stop this craziness that is harming our sons and daughters. Highly recommended!

Check out the video on USA Today!

http://www.usatoday.com/video/changing-the-culture-of-violence-in-east-baltimore/1463114582001

Follow this link for more information.

http://www.wa.gov/esd/e-learning/default.htm

The high was almost $50 per hour for an experienced Construction Superintendent to minimum wage for some people who have never worked a real job!

We are asked all the time what kind of job can someone with a conviction get? Our response is always, “Any job they are qualified for!” This year’s job placement statistics back that up.

Goal for year one was 100. Let’s hope we see as much success in year two!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017308992_civilcomm23.html