Seven inmates honored at graduation ceremony

By Piper Raab

The Community Reentry Unit Program for qualified inmates at the Allegan County Corrections Center is a quarterly intensive education and life skills preparation program with a Christian foundation. The program is directed and managed by Lead Jail Chaplain, Sarah Montgomery and Chaplain Assistant, Patricia Sheldon.
On Thursday, March 27th, a 41st Community Reentry Graduation Ceremony took place for 7 inmates at the Corrections Center in front of an audience of 24 people. In attendance, there were family members, volunteers, and staff. The 7 graduates received certificates of completion, “Every Man’s Bibles” and a pizza lunch with family members.
Sheriff Frank Baker and Chaplain Sarah both spoke to the Reentry Graduates, praising their accomplishments, efforts and hard work. Sheriff Baker said, “You all are the Crown Jewel of the facility. You all are all making a difference in becoming productive members of society.I hope we can some day meet on the outside and you can tell me stories of your success.I can’t wait for that day, so I can shake your hand and pat you on the back.”
During the ceremony, the Graduates were given the opportunity to get up and speak about their experience in the Reentry Program. There were moments of honesty of the past and words of asking for forgiveness for past mistakes. There were moments of tears of joy and appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the program.
Sheriff Frank Baker said of the program, “The Community Reentry Unit Program has been very successful over the years. We are very fortunate, in Allegan County, to have a partnership with:Reach the Forgotten Ministries and the volunteers who provide the services. It can be a very moving experience to witness individuals, who have undergone such a change, during the 10 week program.”
“I recall one graduation that occurred a few years ago. An inmate participant asked if we could invite the deputy that arrested him to the ceremony. He wanted an opportunity to meet with the deputy and show him that he was not the same individual the deputy encountered and arrested that night. He did not want the deputy to always remember him like he was the night of his arrest, which was before his participation in the program.”
“I even recall an individual who asked his attorney to talk to the judge into keeping him in jail long enough for him to complete the program, as it was having such an impact on him.”
In an earlier interview with me, Sheriff Baker stated, “When I am hiring Command staff, I consider personality compatibility for empathy on the campus.”
Each 10 week Community Reentry Program session begins with a 2 week organizational initiative. Inmates who request their wishes to participate in the program are screened, interviewed and selected by staff. During the 10 weeks, daily routines are established of getting up early, going to classes and learning new skills. During the 2 week interval, volunteers and mentors get a break.
Sheriff Frank Baker said, “Separating from old habits and old friends by replacing them with healthy situations with a purpose, is many times a helpful solution for future success. So when inmates are released back into the community, the hope is that they will not be returning back to jail.
The Community Reentry Program is a trained volunteer effort collaborative. Chaplain Sarah said, “A full, 10 week reentry session, utilizes 18 volunteers.” Chaplain Sarah organizes all the volunteer: mentors and teachers. Assistant Chaplain Patricia takes care of the administrative portion and she, also, counsels and teaches inmates.
Cohort groups are created and the inmates move into dorm rooms in the jail. The total immersion process has a strategy to teach inmates how to get along in real life setting experiences. Chaplain Sarah explains further, “The Program addresses: addiction, relationships, anger management, seeking safety (females), healing from trauma, life skills, and Bible Study. Deputy’s: Michael Holland and Mary Theresa Carlson teach MRT classes (Moral Recognition Therapy). GED or career readiness, known as Allegan County CREATES are also, offered. CREATES stands for: Career Readiness, Education and Training Employment Skills. A list of inmates is made and many times there is a waiting list.
The GED classes are taught by Instuctor, Mary Howard. Mary is a retired Hopkins Public Schools principal. There are 12 computers in the classroom at the Corrections Center. The GED classes follow the Zeeland Public Schools program and calendar. The State of Michigan GED is equivalent to a high school diploma.
A Career Coach from West Michigan Works talks to prospective inmates about their skills and preferences for employment. Resume writing (gaps in employment writing help), interview skills, and jobs skills are taught to inmates. Interviews and a job waiting for them upon their release are also possible.
Chaplain Sarah Montgomery will have her 10 year anniversary as the Jail Chaplain at the Allegan County Corrections Center, this year.. She began there on April 1st, 2015. Chaplain Sarah is also the Reverend of the Rectify Church, located on 247 North Main Street, in the city of Allegan.
The old Allegan County Sheriff’s Offices and Jail was built in 1962 and demolished in 2015. The present Sheriff’s Offices and Corrections Center is 10 years old, this year. Sheriff Frank Baker was elected in November of 2016 and he has been Sheriff for 8 years.
As stated on the jailministry.org website, “Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry is a biblically-based, Chaplain-led, volunteer ministry. We provide hope in Michigan county jails by teaching, preaching, and showing the love of Jesus Christ. We currently have placed 35 Chaplains in 35 counties…the largest jail-focused ministry in the U.S.”
Chaplain Sarah Montgomery asked, “ Please consider donating to jailministry.org. The donations go directly to the purchase of inmates’ study lesson books, materials and Bibles.”