Who Are We?

Welcome to Alternative Religions Educational Network's Prison Ministry Division. If there is anything on these pages you find to be false, please feel free to correct us. If you feel we need more material, information, contacts or anything you feel is appropriate, please do not hesitate to contact us and bring this to our attention. We are open to expanding and growing academically, spiritually, and in any area that can provide a stronger service to this division.

Prison Ministry Division Statement of Basic Beliefs

1. We do not believe any child, no matter what the crime should be tried and convicted as an adult, or given the death penalty for any crime committed as a child.

2. We believe that murder is murder, whether it be committed by an act of violence or state sanctioned by the courts.

3. We do not believe any individual with mental illness should be sentenced to death due to a crime committed during or due to mental illness.

4. We believe that all faiths should be recognized and accommodated to any and all incarcerated individuals, as long as no criminal behavior is a part of the practice of that faith.

5. We believe that rehabilitation returns productive individuals to our society.

6. People have the ability to create change within themselves and all people deserve a second chance at life.

7. Spirituality, Faith, Religion has the ability to create a profound affect upon a person's life and their life choices, decisions and lifestyle.

Basic Navigation Through This Site

This divisional site was created for the sole purpose of being a resource for not only the volunteers within the Department of Corrections, but the Chaplains, inmates and the family and friends of inmates. Each area has it's specific needs and purposes, but there is also information that will be shared by all of you. Due to this fact, I understand it can become confusing and I hope this section will take that confusion away, or at least minimalize it.

The most important section to anyone considering becoming a volunteer or whom is a volunteer is the Department of Corrections links page. This page has the link to every state's home page, which has the information to contact each facility within that state. It also has links to policies that affect volunteering, your activities within the facilities as well as the policies that affect the religious programming. You need to familiarize yourself with this information to be professional in your work and stay within the guidelines.