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Prisoners
Meet Victims
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The Justice Department says two-thirds of prison inmates will be re-arrested for serious crimes and wind up back behind bars. But a volunteer program that started in Texas is reversing that trend—by helping prisoners see their victims as people. Reed Galin (gay lin) reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Bryan, Texas)
This is where prison inmates come face-to-face with victims of crime and their families.
Doug Wilson, Inmate’s father: “My son made a choice that changed his life, and ours, forever.”
Doug Wilson’s son is serving a life sentence for his role in a robbery and double murder. Wilson shares his story as a part of a program called “Bridges to Life.”
Doug Wilson, Inmate’s Father: “A lot of them believe that, you know, they are not affecting anybody at all but themselves. They’re looking at it from their perspective.”
“Bridges to Life” is a 14-week course started in more than 20 Texas prisons, and now expanding to other states. Inmates hear stories from crime victims and then hold group discussions.
Dwayne Butler, Inmate: “And it just makes you say ‘What do I have to do differently so I won’t have to go down this road again?’”
Robert Smith, Inmate: “It can stop with me. I have that hope for my son, that, you know, he doesn’t have to see the inside of this place.”
Most of the “Bridges to Life” volunteers at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Hamilton Unit come from United Methodist churches in the area.
The Rev. Guy Pry, Retired United Methodist Pastor: “This interaction in following the steps of accountability, accepting responsibility.”
Margie Blazier, Bridges to Life Regional Coordinator: “We have had men listen to the stories at the impact panel, at the very beginning. And before they even get into small groups, they’re crying.”
Going to the “Bridges to Life” meetings is optional
for prisoners, but studies show those who attend are five times more
likely to stay out of prison after they’re released. Volunteers and
inmates agree that communities will be safer.
James Benson, Inmate: “Now that
I get to see how it affects other people, it makes me change my outlook
on everything.”
Lonnie Jones, Inmate: “I am worth something. I do have some good in me. I’m not all
bad.”
TAG:
Bridges to Life was started by crime victim, John Sage, after his younger sister was murdered. The program now has more than 300 volunteers. More than 4,600 inmates have completed the course.
For more information, call 713-463-7200 or visit
www.bridgestolife.org.