Circumcision of the Heart Ministry
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
 

                                                                           Paroled What Now?

                                                            By: Bishop Joseph N. Hall



This is no time for romantic illusions and empty philosophical debates about freedom. This is a time for action. We need to establish a strategy for change i.e. a tactical program that will bring those formerly incarcerated into the mainstream of American life as quickly as possible.

So far, everyone seems to be waiting on parole as if once established, the doors will just swing open. Yet, no one seems to have given any thought that if, and when, parole is established, there will be requirements to ensure that only those who have honestly applied themselves will be remotely considered for parole.

It’s sad, that the attitude of some inmates awaiting parole is that they have no desire to change that behavior that brought them to prison in the first place. Most are just as the saying goes “doing time”.

Whatever method used to determine whether or not any individual is qualified for parole will rely primarily on the records kept in his central file. The fact of the matter is: your freedom will be determined by whatever accomplishments or disciplinary actions are found there. If all you’ve done is “do time” it will show.

Prison was not designed to rehabilitate, but, to house society’s throwaways--- “us”. It is not the responsibility of the institution to motivate us into wanting more for our future, or to encourage us to prepare ourselves for reentry into society. It should not be taken for granted when we are fortunate to have ma genuine concern for our well-being.

It is our responsibility to seek change for our lives. We need to do whatever is necessary to set our priorities in order while incarcerated, so that parole becomes a reality and not just an illusion.

So, where do we go from here? In order to answer the question, we must first honestly recognize where we are now. If we choose to improve our lives, the road ahead will not always be smooth. There will be frustration, bewilderment, and setbacks that we must endure. There will also be those moments when the confidence of hope will be transformed into hopelessness, and sometimes even your dreams will be shattered.

However, together we can overcome any potential setbacks if we learn to lean on each other. By using the available programs, together we can improve our lives. We must respect each other as well as staff in order to work toward a solution to improve the re-entry project. This is for everyone’s benefit. We are needed in our communities and the change needs to start here and now. We must want more for our lives and the lives of those we love.

We need to step up, in faith, as Paul the apostle did, and run the race that is set before us. Then one day, someone, somewhere, will be able to look at any one of us and say that we are models for that someone’s life; inspirations for that someone to reach a higher level of achievement; and sources for their strengths and encouragement.

The following are essential in order to put the past behind and embrace the future.
» We must end idleness and illiteracy.
» We must find healing for the tormented conscience.
» We must develop our creativeness.
» We must become productively involved in the re-entry program.

As we look forward to New Beginnings, each of us has the power to succeed within of us. We must do everything in our power to rise up and be the responsible men and women that we need to be.

About the author:

Joseph Hall, Jr., a federal prisoner, is the Senior Bishop and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Circumcision of the Heart Ministries, Inc., of Jacksonville, Florida; President of the NAACP Prison Branch of Coleman-Medium; member of Christian Outreach Ministry Evangelism (C.O.M.E.); a graduate of Fathers Behind Bars Self-Improvement Program; the Instructor of Circumcision of the Heart Bible Study Program and has a Paralegal Certification from Blackstone Law School of Dallas, Texas.

Bishop J. N. Hall