The SET FREE INDEED name comes from John 8:36 (“If the Son has set you free you shall be free indeed). Our vision is to support the vulnerable with prayer, mentorship, good literature, study resources, and counsel. We believe the broken will find healing, behavior will improve, souls will be saved, relationships will be restored, and recidivism reduced as we lead with love and point people to the transforming power of Christ.
The stats are terrible:
- America has an incarceration epidemic. America houses more inmates – in total and per capita – than any other nation in the world.
- More than 2.1 million teens and 10 million adults are arrested each year in America.
- Almost 1/3 of inmates will be re-arrested within 12 months of their release
- More than 2/3 of inmates will return to prison within 5 years of their release. I argue that for the most part, this is not because these individuals are incorrigible, it is because they lack sufficient skills, are without an adequate safety net/support system, and have limited employment and housing opportunities.
- Almost 50% of individuals have difficulty finding employment and housing after their release and have annual incomes below $10,000.
The system is broken
Studies show that “lower-risk offenders are negatively impacted by the prison experience.” That is, the longer a person stays in prison, the more likely they are to re-offend. The prison system punishes well but does not adequately rehabilitate or prepare inmates to succeed in the future.
The Set Free Indeed program is small but has an excellent track record of helping, encouraging, resourcing, and equipping. Our resources have been accessed by more than 100 inmates, in-prison support groups have been established, and several have been assisted with reentry issues. Our recidivism rate over the last 24 months is zero.
We provide counsel, inspirational writings and audio files, and life-skill development teaching videos. Twenty of our devotional, mental health, and prepare-for-your-exit books have been approved by the Washington State Dept. of Corrections for use in incarceration facilities.
Set Free Indeed Prison Ministry resources are profiled below:
- Set Free Inmate and Family Handbook: We believe our 295-page Prepare-For-Your-Exit handbook will encourage, inspire, and equip the hurting. Written by a former pastor, community leader, case manager, and inmate, the book presents practical advice, recommendations, and contact information for dozens of programs and businesses that desire to help. Click HERE to view an excerpt from the book.
- Set Free Resource booklet: A collection of approximately 400 resources and services available to exiting inmates. Write to SetFreeInquiries@gmail.com to receive a free digital copy. Click HERE to purchase a physical copy.
- Our inspirational and mental health books are profiled HERE.
- Several of our life-skills teaching videos are posted HERE.
- Several testimonies (Stories from the inside) are posted HERE.
- One-minute thought for the day devotional recordings are posted HERE.
Individuals who feel called to provide financial support to the Set Free ministry (so additional resources can be developed and we can bless other prison ministries with books) can do so through the links presented below:
- $50: Spread the Word Initiative: Pledge 50 – Etsy
- $250: Spread the Word Initiative: Pledge 250 – Etsy
- $500: Spread the Word Initiative: Pledge 500 – Etsy
For additional information, please write to SetFreeInquiries@gmail.com
[1] https://youth.gov/youth-topics/juvenile-justice/youth-involved-juvenile-justice-system