Although our criminal justice system ideally aims at rehabilitation and recovery, the men and women who are incarcerated are sometimes forgotten during their sentence. Too many of us lose empathy for others, once we know they have committed crimes.
Domestic violence research paints a stark yet clear picture of the connection between exposure to domestic violence and criminal activity. About 85% of all female inmates have either been raised in violent homes or have been a victim of intimate violence when they grow up.
Many kids who grow up around domestic violence often turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. While perhaps initially effective in easing the pain, it can turn into a spiral of problems that can result in incarceration.
In line with the work done at The Nest domestic violence shelter, advocates want to help inmates see other options for a better life after jail. The Advocacy in Corrections program, run by Nest advocate Corina Montoya, is now reaching domestic violence victims in both the Lincoln County Detention Center as well as the Otero County Detention Center.
One of the many tools used in the Advocacy in Corrections program is the Recovery Bible, which has been used at The Nest’s voluntary Faith Hour for years. The Bibles are popular because of their carefully-crafted message of hope and inspiration aimed at people who are struggling with addiction or abuse.
Because of the popularity of the Recovery Bible and the Advocacy in Corrections program, HEAL faced a dilemma. “We needed a lot more Bibles,” Montoya said. Church out of Church had provided hundreds of Recovery Bibles up to that time but with the expansion into both jails, many more were needed.
HEAL staff reached out to the Lincoln County & Mescalero Ministerial Alliance of Lincoln County for assistance. “The Nest requested 40 copies of the Recovery Bibles to use in the outreach program,” said Judy Burgess, President of the Ministerial Alliance and Rector at the Church of the Holy Mount. “We motioned to double their request and donated 80 instead.”
Burgess said she wanted to extend a helping hand not only to the survivors that are serving time, but also to outreach staff and The Nest. “I have a deep appreciation for how difficult it is to get funding or volunteers for any kind of prison outreach,” she said.
The Ministerial Alliance’s support of outreach program is important because it illustrates how a large network of religious organizations can come together to support inmates, help them see hope for rehabilitation and demonstrate love to some of the most forgotten members of our society. “I mean, Jesus did say to visit the prisoners,” Burgess said. “If we can help them find a way to stand, find a job and get the resources they need, they will be able to get their lives back and become survivors.”
The Lincoln County & Mescalero Ministerial Alliance has been a long term partner with HEAL & The Nest domestic violence shelter. Prior to opening, several pastors went to the shelter to tour the facility and ask God’s grace and blessing over its work and Advocates. The Faith Hour at The Nest was originally led by the Alliance members, rotating different faith leaders from different churches each week.
Pictured is Judy Burgess, President of the Lincoln County and Mescalero Ministerial Alliance and Rector at the Church of the Holy Mount.
