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| Prison rehabilitation programs suffer from state budget cuts |
| By Houston News Channel |
| Published: 10/13/2003 |
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Texas prison inmates filled the St. Mary of the Purification Church with their voices during a special "Day of Healing". The inmates joined crime victims and other offenders and their families for the special service, people like Yvonne Freeman, who was carjacked 10 years ago. For many victims, the emotional wounds remain long after the physical scars have healed. "What we are trying to do is let them know that [the inmates] are still important, that they have value, that they have gifts and they have talents that are important to the community. So we reach out with God's love, with a sense of forgiveness, with a sense of understanding that we want them to realize," said Reverend Ron Cloutier, Director of Correctional Ministries. Father Cloutier says this message is an important part of rehabilitating criminals currently in prison. But that message may not be getting out as much as it used to, as many of the ministries in the state's prisons are in jeopardy because of budget cuts. Father Cloutier says that means there will be fewer priests like him to uplift and inspire people looking to turn their lives around through the word of God. Right now, the diocese is looking for more volunteers for its jail and prison ministries. |
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