Why We Serve Prisoners
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
The U.S. Leads the World in Incarceration Rates
Our mission field is more than 2 million people.
The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration with 2.3 million people currently in the nation’s prisons or jails — a 500% increase over the past thirty years.
In 2014 the U.S. represented 5% of the world’s population. But it housed 25% of the world’s incarcerated people.
Number of Men Incarcerated in 2013: 1,463,454
Number of Women Incarcerated in 2012: 113,605
Number of Youth Incarcerated in 2013: 54,148 (in both correctional institutions and adult prisons)
Kairos Brings God’s Light into the Darkness of Prison
The prison environment is a dark place, where prisoners face violence, anger, gangs and loneliness daily.
Kairos Prison Ministry volunteers step into this darkness to hold a 3 ½ day weekend, with the majority of participants made up primarily of negative leaders within the prison. Through talks, discussions and Chapel meditations prisoners learn that they are worthy of God’s love, light and grace. That no matter who they are or what they have done, God forgives them.
When a former negative or gang leader accepts Christ, it can influence the very atmosphere of a prison for the better. As the Kairos Christian community inside a prison grows and begins to gain influence, the incidence of violence often decreases.
Kairos Reduces Recidivism Rates
Kairos programs have gained the respect of the correctional system.
In a study of 505 inmates released from Florida prisons, the recidivism rate was 15.7% among those who had participated in one Kairos session, and 10% among those who had participated in two or more Kairos continuing ministry sessions.
The non-Kairos control group in the study had a recidivism rate of 23.4%. Reduction in recidivism rates result in reducing the cost to society of further imprisonment (approximately $30,000 per year per prisoner).
Creation of Kairos
The next generation experiences a change in their released family member, who begins to model a lifestyle without crime. New, positive behavior is reinforced.
The local communities become safer, as parolees and former prisoners make positive life choices from the foundation of ongoing Christian “Prayer and Share” weekly meetings.
Families are reunited with more hope for the future.
LEARN MORE: Our Approach to Ministry
LEARN MORE: Kairos Inside
LEARN MORE: Kairos Outside
LEARN MORE: Kairos Torch
LEARN MORE: Frequently Asked Questions