Several prisoners at FCI Englewood prison and Denver Women’s prison walked up to me recently and said they looked forward to meeting me on the “outside.” Now usually when an inmate says that, it may not be a good thing. But in this case it is a wonderful thing, because they were talking about joining a TUMI (The Urban Institute Ministry) class or starting their own TUMI site on the “outside.”
The events of February and March are past but were blessed mightily by God. The Denver Women’s Correctional Facility Graduation, including the visits by Rev. Dr. Don Davis were amazing blessings to all who attended. It was especially heartwarming to watch the men of FCI Englewood prison and Denver Women’s prison interact and hear from the professor they have been watching on a DVD for the past two to four years.
What a privilege to be involved in a program that will train and mature men and women in such a way that they will never go back prison unless it is to minister to those left behind. A prison guard Lieutenant watching the graduation at Denver Women’s marveled at the character and joy of the graduates receiving their certificates in full cap and gown. As she watched them proceed into the prison cafeteria to “Pomp and Circumstance“ and take their seats in front of all their guests and family, it led her to remark “these women will never return here as prisoners again.” That is high praise from someone who throughout her career sees at least 70% of those released return again as prisoners.
It is a blessing to see God at work in Denver. He is doing mighty things in our prisons, and raising up His Kingdom.