Covenant for Honoring Children

Snippets from Detention

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.
~John 1:5

…tortured…
…raped…
…thrown out…
…beaten…
…sold…
…discarded…
…ignored…
…forgotten…
…lost…

…i pray for my father’s death…
…i wanted to be president…
…i miss my children…
…i don’t need anybody…
…i have to be wanted…
…i wonder where god is…

…sold…
…tortured…
…beaten…
…crucified…
…lost…

…resurrected…

Child Slavery is Bigger then Ever

York-led study finds homeless youth more vulnerable to crime

A poem: “I am from nothing”

Below is a poem from mindy hardwick’s blog.  She facilitates poetry writing workshops in youth detention centers.  I think this really gives a glimpse into the mind of a youth in prison.  Especially the idea of being nothing and coming from nothing.

 

Written by a Teen Girl

I AM FROM NOTHING

I am from nothing.

A hole in the wall

An unnoticed fly on the ceiling

I am from deception

A never-ending circle of flies

A knife in the back of a friend
I am from perversion

The look on a man’s face

as he steals the innocence of a child.

 

I am from nothing

But I will not BE nothing.

Impact of Chaplain Programs on Discipline

The state of Florida did a study on the impact of participation in chaplain’s programs on discipline for those who are incarcerated.  The news is AMAZING!!  (DRs are Disciplinary Reports).  For the complete report, go here.

July Chapel Attendance	Total Inmates	Received DR	DR%
0 times	21,363	2,001	9.4%
1-3 times	4,437	324	7.3%
4-9 times	2,004	119	5.9%
10+ times	937	37	3.9%
Statewide Average	72,075	5,083	7.1%

 

Marshgate Prison Chapel