Reentry Court Angola Bus Tour: December 6, 2018

A Community at the Gate

On December 6, 2018, three members of our SCS Prison Ministry team visited the Reentry Court Program at Angola Prison, on a bus tour of about 30 people.  This tour was by invitation of Judge Scott Schlegel, Jefferson Parish 24^th Judicial District.

The inmates accepted into the reentry program at Angola are given apprenticeship technical training and must earn industry certification with online testing – auto mechanics; welding; HVAC; carpentry; cooking and many others.  While the technical training regimen was very impressive, the additional aspect emphasized by every inmate-instructor was changing hearts.  Technical skills may help a probationer get a good job on the outside, but social skills coaching and mentoring will help him or her keep a job and rebuild their lives.

The recidivism rate for reentry court mentees is 9%, compared to almost 50% for the general prison population.  This tough love program makes our streets safer while healing broken lives and saving money. 

Currently five SCS parishioners serve as Life Coach mentors for reentry inmates. Each of us has made a two-year commitment to be available for a weekly call from our mentee as they transition back into productive society. It is a rewarding and life-giving opportunity to be a part of this healing process.

In Matthew 25 we hear “… when I was in prison, you visited me ...” Please continue to pray for the success of our efforts, particularly for those who are now under our mentorship. We welcome all parishioners who may be interested in being part of this and other prison ministries at St. Catherine. 

We all make wrong decisions in our lives; we all are sinners.  But Our Lord is so forgiving and welcomes us back with his merciful love.  Right now He needs your hands and hearts to extend this love.

SCS Active Mentors:  Melissa Carter, Jackie Appleton, Stephen Maheu, Pam Truxillo, and Mark Truxillo
SCS Mentors in Training:  Kathleen McGinnis, Beth Gambel and Michael Armelin