Good News Jail and Prison Ministry

Chaplain Cliff Tulsie from the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry spoke to the Treynor Optimist Club on 13 December.  The Pottawattamie County jail has a capacity of 288 prisoners. About 85% of the prisoners are repeat offenders within 3 years.  If they are reached by the Good News ministry, there is only a 12% recidivism.  Chaplains try to teach the prisoners better coping skills. They use the philosophy that if the person is changed, the behavior will change.  There is no government funding of any kind to support this program.  Churches, individuals and other groups fund the organization since it is considered a missionary program.  All funds stay locally.  Security is always considered first and ministry second when working with the inmates.  On the average inmates spend 3 to 4 weeks in the county jail, but possibly up to a year and sometimes even more.  Prisoners must request the chaplain's assistance to receive it.  About 65% of the prisoners ask for chaplain assistance.