Prison Ministry Conference,  May 12th for Five Southwest Dioceses

“Exodus: Helping Others on the Way to Successful Reentry” is the title of 2005 prison ministry conference slated for five Episcopal dioceses in the Southwest May 12-14 at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque.

The dioceses of  the Rio Grande, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and  Navajoland are invited to participate.

The conference will focus on “opportunities for the Christian community to help make today’s inmate tomorrow’s good neighbor,” said the Rev. Steve Caldwell, coordinator.

Sponsored by the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries of the Episcopal Church, it will open with a dinner and greetings from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Steenson, Bishop coadjutor, Diocese of the Rio Grande.

Speakers Friday include corrections officials, an ex-offender, an Episcopal Church Washington lobbyist, retired prison warden and youth facility superintendent and a panel of  rehabilitation program experts, a prison chaplain and corrections official.

A variety of workshops spelling out reentry and aftercare programs including those for addiction, spirituality, therapy, parolees, women and inmates’ children will take place Friday morning.

Saturday’s plenary session and closing Eucharist will be led by the Rev. Jackie Means, criminal justice officer and director of prison ministry for the Episcopal Church.

The conference grew out of the increased concerns about recidivism, with about 60% of all ex-offenders going back to crime.

“We must do something about it,” said Caldwell, retired rector of St. Chads, Albuquerque.

“That means doing something about providing healthy, creative, supportive aftercare upon reentry into society after prison. The Church has a noble opportunity to be part of that care team, and has unique gifts to contribute to its effectiveness.
“This conference,” he added, “is about seizing that opportunity and ministering those gifts.”

For more information, contact the Rev. Steve Caldwell, 505-823-9219 or srcabq@comcast.net.