Calvin College is Making a Difference in Prison

I recently arrived at a new prison facility to begin participating in a bachelors degree program called the Calvin College Prison Initiative. This program is a donor sponsored bachelors degree program in ministry leadership provided by Calvin College our of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Twenty prisoners are selected each year to participate based on their desire, their institutional behavior record, and educational criteria determined by Calvin staff. 

This program is designed to train prisoners to be effective positive leaders in their communities both in prison and upon release. This is a worthy goal that can be supported by prison officials and community leaders alike. 

I am excited to begin classes in September. The challenge of the classroom and book work is something I relish. In the meantime, I am building relationships and becoming a part of the culture that has already begun to be established by the first year students. 

When this year's students arrived at MTU from the previous prisons where they had been housed, the inaugural class greeted us warmly with open arms. While we waited for our property to be processed and returned to us, some of the first year students handed us deodorants, toothbrushes, and toothpaste so we could clean up from our gruelingly long and exhausting transfer. 

This was my first peek into the subculture of the Calvin College students within the broader and more selfish culture of prison. While is is still too early to tell, I am hopeful that this attitude of brotherhood, generosity of spirit, and cooperation runs deep and remains strong. I am sure that conflicts and differences will arise, but if we are being trained to be effective, positive leaders these should be nothing more than opportunities to practice the skills and knowledge we acquire.

I am grateful that the staff at Calvin College and the generous donors who make this Prison Initiative possible have the heart to believe in the redemptive value of society's outcasts and the courage to act out their faith in such a tangible way. I know this opportunity will have a positive impact in my life.