Reintegration through the local church
Nationwide prison statistics show that around 60% of offendersre-offend within two years. Prison chaplains tell us that withoutsupport, many Christian prisoners re-offend at the same rate.Through collaboration with local churches, prison chaplains andother faith based community organisations Alpha Australia isimplementing the UK Caring for Ex-Offenders (CFEO) program acrossAustralia. CFEO has been successful in the UK, USA and Canada inreducing recidivism.By helping offenders stay out of prison and lead constructive liveswe are making our communities safer places and bringing in the kingdomof God.The program is provided by a team of volunteers from CFEO trained churches in cooperation with prison chaplains.Training days to equip churches for this vital ministry are offeredannually in each state. Many Christians have found their faithrevitalised and experienced the joy of seeing others grow as disciplesof Jesus Christ through this ministry.Churches can help with:

• Being trained to welcome ex-offenders
• Forming teams of four to carry out the oversight, mentor, friend and practical roles required
• Employment
• Accommodation
• Practical assistance
• Prayer
• Financial support

To get started a church needs:

• At least four people with a passion for making a difference in the lives of ex-offenders and their families
• The support and encouragement of the church leadership
• To commit to pray
• Some teaching to ground the ministry

What Iliked most about the Alpha approach, was the structured and disciplinedapproach to assisting offenders to reintegrate. This looks like best practiceto me in not only ensuring effectiveness from the offender's viewpoint, butalso in assisting faith communities to make significant contributionsin safe ways.- Grahame Chaseling - Community Corrections Officer NSW