When Steven Medlin was paroled after 30 years in prison, he needed help. He found that help through Prisoners of Christ (POC), a nonprofit organization that since 1990 has been devoted to providing reentry and transition services for men coming out of prison to assist them in becoming productive citizens and thereby breaking the chains of recidivism.
With the help of POC, Medlin found a job, bought his first new car and recently completed a program of paralegal studies. He and two other men, Mark Krancer and Jeff Green, shared moving testimonies of how the organization came alongside them, coached them, and ultimately changed their lives, at the Prisoners of Christ 29th Annual Crime Prevention Prayer Breakfast held June 25 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
According to Jeff Witt, president and CEO of the organization, only 17% of the nonprofit’s clients have returned to prison or jail within three years. The average recidivism rate is 60%. He also pointed out that 95% of those who are incarcerated are released at some point, so it’s important to help them walk a new path rather than returning to the life that led them to commit crimes.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, who spoke at the breakfast, is a supporter of the organization. “They provide day-to-day support to give people returning from prison a real opportunity to be successful,” he said.
For more information about POC, visit their website at https://pocjax.org/.
By Kandace Lankford
Resident Community News
