Christ centered 12 step recovery Fellowship in Recovery Reconciliation to God and His Family Education about chemicals and Addiction Edification through faith in Christ Dedicated service to others

Prisons/Jails The thought of criminals locked away in prison might make us feel safe. But the fact is, 95 percent of prisoners will be released. Two-thirds will be arrested for something else within three years. More than half will end up in prison again. And as the cycle keeps repeating, crime keeps spreading, our communities still aren’t safe Add the arrests of first offenders to those returning and it is clear that the problem is growing.

The Cycle Offenders are caught, sentenced and incarcerated During incarceration, family and occupational contacts diminish, while contact and interface with other offenders increases. Offenders are released back to the environment they came from, usually finding situations worse than when they left. Soon they become discouraged, often returning to “old habits” and contacts, committing crimes from one or more of the following three categories:

Drug-defined offenses Violations of laws prohibiting or regulating the possession, use, distribution or manufacture of illegal drugs, such as: Drug possession or use. Marijuana cultivation. Methamphetamine production. Cocaine, heroin, or marijuana sales. Drug-related offenses Offenses to which a drug's pharmacologic effects contribute; offenses motivated by the user's need for money to support continued use; and offenses connected to drug distribution itself, such as: Violent behavior resulting from drug effects. Stealing to get money to buy drugs. Violence against rival drug dealers. Drug-using lifestyle A lifestyle in which the likelihood and frequency of involvement in illegal activity are increased because drug users may not participate in the legitimate economy and are exposed to situations, such as: A life orientation with an emphasis on short-term goals supported by illegal activities. Opportunities to offend resulting from contacts with offenders and illegal markets. Criminal skills learned from other offenders.

The Numbers Increase By the end of 1998, State and Federal prisons housed two-thirds of the Nation's incarcerated population and jails housed the other third. From 1990 to 1998, the Federal prison population almost doubled In 1999, the combined Federal, State, and local inmate population was 1,851,062, with another 712,713 on Parole and 3,773,624 on Probation In 1998, 65.5% of convicted jail inmates had used drugs regularly and 16% had committed their offense to get money for drugs. More than one-third (35.6%) of jail inmates had committed their offense under the influence of drugs.

What we can DO we are spending $68 billion a year on corrections. We need better results! The current “system” just isn’t working, so bigger jails is not a solution, but a smaller population in the corrections system is. We need to reverse the cycle! Through volunteer outreach we can make a difference. Monthly visits by speaker panels or weekly meetings in the facility can “sow and water” the seeds of recovery in Christ. Meeting and Church attendance after release can offer new hope to the recently released

The Bridge 75% of those who do not return to jail found and adopted a faith-based lifestyle. 12 Step recovery programs have helped more people achieve freedom from drug and alcohol dependency than any other method. Overcomers Outreach serves as a bridge between churches and 12 step groups – We claim Jesus Christ as our higher power and seek help and support both in and outside the church.

How We Can Help Carry the message to inmates through participation with panels and regular meetings at the facility Support for the family at the local Overcomer and other 12 step meetings Re-entry support for those released at meetings and churches Continued prayer – continued love

Guidance from Scripture Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10: 14-15

For more information Visit our website: overcomersoutreach.org Phone toll free - (800) Or write to: Overcomers Outreach Acheson Dr. Whittier, CA 90601

Your support is welcome Overcomers Outreach, Inc. is a non-profit corporation founded to reach out to chemically dependent and compulsive individuals and affected family members of every age. We are funded by tax deductible donations, literature sales and 7 th Tradition donations from member groups. If you would like to give a gift of support, please visit our website, call (800) , or send to: Overcomers Outreach Acheson Dr. Whittier, CA God Bless You.