Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out

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Summary: What's prison really like?
Review: As someone involved in prison ministry for nearly 30 years, I have read a lot of books about prison and prison ministry. I have never seen any like this one! Many "prison books" sensationalize prisons and prisoners -- some even seem intent on glamorizing them, or at least on glamorizing the ministries that sponsor the books. Others focus on studies and analyses of data about prisons and prisoners. This one simply and eloquently tells you what prisoners think and feel and deal with, day by day, month by month, year by year, so that you can begin to understand a strange, alien culture that most of us can barely imagine, but which deeply affects millions of people in this country.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who deals with prisoners or ex-prisoners in any way -- while they are "in" and when they get out. If you ever hire an ex-prisoner, read this book. If you have an ex-prisoner in your church you would like to encourage and support, read this book. If someone in your family has been sent to prison, or is about to be released, read this book. It will help you understand his experiences and how they will continue to affect him for years after his release, and what kinds of things you can do to help heal the psychological and spiritual effects the prison experience inflicts on those who go through it.

A disclaimer: I know Lennie Spitale, and greatly respect his ministry. I heard that he was writing a book, but I never imagined anything like what it turned out to be. This book will change minds and I believe it will change lives. Which is, I am sure, exactly what Lennie intended it to do.

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Summary: Prison Ministry
Review: I just read this book and can say that if anyone is in or going into prison ministry that it is a must read. His grasp of the workings of prison ministry from the inmates perpective is truly inspiring and enlightning.

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Summary: An Inside/Outside Perspective
Review: Prison Ministry could be called an "inside job" because the author is writing after serving six times in the brig in the Navy and three and a half years in a New Hampshire prison. But it is also an "outside job" because Lennie has gone from outside to the inside of prisons in California, Florida and all six New England states for 25 years. He entered prison a rebellious, anti-society, cocky young man. He now goes into prison as a humble, loving, caring prison minister--and supervises a staff of men and women that go into every penal institution in New England with a message that Jesus loves prison inmates and wants to give them a new life.

From that perspective, Prison Ministry is a book that will transform the reader's understanding of prison culture. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters--and the volunteers serving prisoners--will find this a well-written, even riveting behind-the-scenes look at how prisoners feel, what they long for, what will give volunteers and family members the greatest success in helping them. There will be tears of recognition as readers recognize their loved one in this book--not be name but by feelings. There will be a new understanding of what makes the prisoner "tick."

Anyone involved in any way with prisoners ought to read Prison Ministry, by Lennie Spitale. It will be a richly rewarding experience.