Carrell hosts meeting of faith organizations to discuss offender reentry

October 1, 2007

Olympia...To help facilitate the successful transition of released felony offenders back into the community, Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, hosted an interfaith meeting of religious organizations last Wednesday. 

“It is only when individuals decide they must change, that real change can occur,” Carrell said.  “Recognizing the existence of a higher power is often a key to that change.” 

Wednesday’s meeting included representatives from Pioneer Human Services, Unity House, Going Home Project for King and Pierce counties, the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Washington Catholic Conference Association, Catholic Community Services, Christian Coalition, Positive Christian Agenda, Interfaith Works, NW Leadership Foundation, Covington Baptist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.  Also in attendance were Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville, and Reps. Tami Green, D-Lakewood, Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, and Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace. 

Many of these groups are already developing relationships with offenders inside prison so that when the offender is released, he or she has a temporary place to stay and a trusted adviser to turn to.  Carrell says those early relationships inside prison are vital to offender success once they are let out. 

“Prisoners are very hesitant to trust anyone, especially someone who comes into prison from the outside to develop a relationship with him or her,” Carrell said.  “That lack of trust comes from way back to the offenders' childhood, when nobody bothered to teach them right from wrong.  Offenders lack the confidence that they are on the right moral path and the motivation to stay the right course when faced with adversity.  These faith organizations provide that support and a moral compass that is of great assistance. 

“Our overall goal here is to help bridge a gap between prison and the community,” Carrell added.  “These organizations have left well-worn wagon tracks for offenders to follow, but it’s up to the state and the Department of Corrections to turn those tracks into heavily traveled, paved roads.” 

While Wednesday’s meeting was a preliminary event, representatives of the groups involved felt that it was a very positive first step, and said they are looking forward to future meetings.

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Sen. Mike Carrell represents the 28th Legislative District, which includes Lakewood, Steilacoom, University Place, DuPont, Fircrest,  and parts of Tacoma, Fort Lewis, and McChord Air Force Base.

For more information contact
Erich R. Ebel at (360) 786-7395