By Larry West

First of all, I would like to acknowledge the excellent way in which Aaron Swims carried on the Prison Ministry work at the two prisons in Vacaville after I accepted the full time position of chaplain at Folsom State Prison. My perspective has changed somewhat since I have become employed by the Department of Corrections. I didn't realize that there was so much paperwork involved. Nor did I appreciate the difficulties encountered in trying to make arrangements for volunteers to come into the institution. There have been some who indicated they felt it was easier to get out of prison than into one!

Basically, I preach and teach the same way inside as I do on the outside. However, some of the illustrations may be different in order to be more appropriate to the situation. Much of my preaching and teaching is expository. One of the things I want these men to know is that what I am saying is directly from the word of God. For several months, after I first came to Folsom, I tried to instill in them the authority and absoluteness of the Scriptures, and that they are not to be added to, subtracted from or substituted for; and, further, that the Word of God is objective, not subjective. Needless to say, I continue to remind them of these principles.

In my Sunday afternoon Bible class, we have studied the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and presently we are studying Colossians. Of course, there are many related scripture passages which we include to further explain the text and help the men to understand. On Thursday nights we have done extensive studies in the Old Testament. Questions are always permitted and there are many.

There is a vast difference between the assemblies on the inside and those on the outside. Usually, those on the streets are composed mostly of people who all believe

pretty well the same thing. In prison, they are made up of every conceivable misconception. Many have no background or understanding of the Bible at all, while others have a considerable amount of knowledge of what it says, but a woeful conglomeration of what it means. It is easy to see that many are influenced by the practices they have seen on television. It takes much patience to try to bring them to an understanding, appreciation and respect for God's word alone.

One of the reasons that I am involved in this work is that I have seen, over the years, the difference some true awareness of the will of God can make in the lives of these men who otherwise have no hope. I have had officers and other staff members tell me that they can see a difference in the attitudes and actions of the men who really come to believe in the value of the Bible. Many men have told me that they are glad they came to prison. Otherwise, they would never have taken the time to think about God or study the Bible. Many of those who tell me this are getting out shortly.

Some years ago, the Gallup organization conducted a study of men who had been released from prison who had also availed themselves of Bible studies while they were incarcerated. They found that the recidivism rate (rate of return to prison) was 15 to 25%, while those with no religious exposure return to prison at a rate of 65 to 85%. Teaching men the word of God is one of the most effective ways of keeping people from re-offending and returning to prison!