Onesimus Workbook

44 • T HE O NESIMUS W ORKSHOP : W ELCOMING F ORMER P RISONERS INTO THE L IFE OF THE C HURCH

3. Legal help: some may ask for assistance for leniency, pardon or post-conviction help.

4. Prison advocacy: some may complain of unfair treatment and abuse by prison system or staff and ask for help in changing the institution.

Dos and Don’ts

1. Always

a. Offer encouragement and inspiration (prisoners are well aware of their failures).

b. Speak God’s Word, but don’t preach or patronize – these students are TUMI students.

c. Use a P.O. Box or an office address as the return address (rather than your home address).

2. Never

a. Contact anyone on behalf of a prisoner.

b. Send a gift or items requested by a prisoner.

c. Give legal advice or counsel regarding a prisoner’s case or write a letter to the parole board on behalf of the prisoner.

d. Send money for financial support or legal fees. Don’t co-sign loans or process money orders.

e. Ask why a prisoner is incarcerated.

f. Give out your telephone number or agree to receive collect calls.

g. Provide personal information or share personal problems with a prisoner.

h. Send unused stamps to a prisoner – this is currency on the inside.