To read part 1 of this story, please click here.
What Volunteers Receive through Kairos Training
Upon reflecting how the Kairos training improves being Catholic, both Doug and Mike agree– it does a lot. For Mike, it has helped him as a partner in his law firm. The conscious act of active listening, often also known as the ministry of presence, is a key element of being a successful leader. Doug is also a lawyer nearing the end of his career. “It is not usual to experience epiphanies in my daily life as I get older,” he says. “Almost without fail, being inside Kairos provides new spiritual awareness.” Doug admits he lives a charmed life with plenty of good choices with which to spend his time. But he most looks forward to showing up for prison ministry. Mike also comments on the community of men he resides within as a result of years of Kairos service. He is part of a circle of 72 brothers dedicated to helping those in prison establish or re establish their Christian lives.
Reunions and Rates of Recidivism
Training also includes follow-up instructions for a weekly and monthly reunion. This is an essential part of the Kairos mission as “Inmates are the Church.” Often those professing their newfound dedication to Christ may be horrifically punished by existing gang systems. Prisoners face this obstacle and also the destructive force of monotony as they wish to stay aligned. Teaching prison leaders to conduct “Prayer and Share” meetings on their own is a central Kairos methodology for setting up further opportunities to help all those living inside continue their faith journeys.
Data found on the Kairos website includes a 1994 study of 505 inmates released from Florida prisons. Their 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 sessions. The non-Kairos control group had a recidivism rate of 23.4%.
Part I of II. Please click here to contact Mary Jo Kriz, co-chair of the American Association Prison Ministry Committee. Click here for more information regarding Prison Ministry.
Article written by PMC volunteer, Alexandra Lehmann
