Prison Ministry emphasizes inmates need support

Constructive efforts are being made toward the 'safe reintegration of offenders' into society

Brian Lang, district director of the Pacific Region of Correctional Services (left),
proudly holds a key given to honour his years of service. With him is Gerry
Ayotte, the archbishop's representative to prisons. Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

The B.C. Catholic has a story about Prison Ministry Development Day at St. Andrew Kim Parish in Surrey:

The all-day event featured a morning speech by Brian Lang, District Director of Community Corrections for the Pacific Region.

He touted one of the major CSC success stories: the organic farm on the green acres of the Ferndale correctional institution. Lang was integral to the creation of the farm, since he's a firm believer in the old adage, "the devil finds work for idle hands."

"We work with very challenging people; after (my) many years in the business, there are not many mastermind criminals or geniuses that are behind bars," he commented.

His specific responsibility starts with offenders once they have been released from behind bars, either from federal or provincial institutions.

He reminded those present that there were "a lot of years and a lot of hurt that went into each offender."
We must "always temper control with compassion, to remain steadfastly committed to a reasonable goal of safe reintegration of offenders back into our communities," he said.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.