Reformers Institutional Program (RIP)
The Plight of the incarcerated
Approximately 70 percent of people incarcerated in prisons and jails have used drugs regularly during their lifetime as compared with about 9 percent of the general population. In addition drug related crimes cost an estimated 107 billion dollars in the US annually. Despite these alarming statistics only an estimated 20 percent of U.S. inmates with addictions receive some treatment while incarcerated, and of those treatment options few have the only real answer Jesus Christ.
A burden to reach those in prison
In 2005 God burdened the leadership in Reformers to reach those who are in our prisons, and jail with addictions. The addition to our staff of Eddie Ostolaza has greatly increased our ability to reach this needy segment of society. As a certified Chaplain and former inmate Eddie understands the plight of those incarcerated.
We can help!
Whether you are a Church looking to effectively reach men and women in your local jails, and prisons. Or a civil servant looking for a faith based alternative program that has a proven track record helping the addicted find ongoing sobriety and decreasing recidivism rates. Contact us today we would be glad to send you an informational packet explaining how Reformers Unanimous can help you reach the incarcerated.
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Watch a recommendation from a County Board Chairman of our effectiveness with the incarcerated.
Testimonies
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Testimonies of Men in the Institutional Program
Letter From A Student
My name is Gabe and I have been attending the RUI classes here in Twin Falls County Jail for about 3 months now. First off, I would just like to say how truly grateful I am for the volunteers that come to us every week. I know that I am not alone when I say that Sunday nights are a night many of us eagerly await all week long.
The powerful presence of God's word; the smiles and encouragement always coming from the pastors and the continual miracles I see every week when yet another lost man turns his life over to Jesus, are just a few of the reasons I have come to love this program. As a testimony, I can say I have lived a life less than perfect. I have spent a number of years addicted to drugs and indulging in any number of sins associated with that life style.
I have never truly been happy before and for years I've always wondered where I was going wrong. As a final culmination to my life of drugs and dishonor, sin and hatred, I have found myself in a situation where I was involved in a murder. I didn't kill anyone, however I was driving the car when a "friend" of mine committed this terrible sin.
I have been charged with second degree murder and plead guilty to it because I feel so badly about my association to the whole episode. I can look at the whole thing now and see that indeed it took something life changing and dramatic to snap me out of the sin induced haze I was living in. I am sorry that it had to be something so drastic, but I believe God has a plan.
That in itself is amazing to me. I believe in God. One of my best friends who I now consider my brother, J.T., told me one day about an awesome program on Sunday nights. J.T. and I had talked about our past and often related to each other and seeing him so excited about some class I decided to come check it out with him. I was a little nervous and a little hesitant, but after going only once, I saw men truly excited about living for God.
I saw men memorizing Scripture, praying for each other's families, and praising a God I always thought to be impersonal and rather "far away" from me and my problems. Since that day, I have accepted Christ as my Savior and I am happy to say that God is no longer that impersonal diety I saw Him as before, but now He has become a trusted friend who I pray to every day, and love very much.
I have come to believe that my will is not my own and I know I must give my life to God. I am so sick of living a life where I'm constantly losing a battle. I don't really have any proof other than what the pastors tell me to show me I'm going to have a better life now and everything will be ok - but, the more I read the Bible and learn, the more my faith grows in God.
I am blindly trusting my life into His hands because I know that in my own, my life has become very ugly. So, with the new found faith in my heart, a head strong determination to dedicate my time here to reading the Bible and meditating on His word, I will carry on. No longer an addict, no more a man living in sin and suffering, but a born again Christian, who preaches the love of God to his fellow inmates and finally has a spark of hope in an otherwise dark and dismal life. I thank RUI and all the volunteers from the bottom of my heart. Praise God for their ministry and for their dedication.
Sincerely Gabe.
If you would like further information on RIP e-mail our Institutional Director Jeremy Amster at [email protected]
