Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope and Humanity - Softcover

Melanie G. Snyder

Softcover

ISBN 10: 087178128X ISBN 13: 9780871781284

Publisher: Brethren Press, 2009

Synopsis

Marie Hamilton touched the lives of thousands of prison inmates through her volunteer work in the Pennsylvania prison system. She challenged conventional wisdom about how to rehabilitate inmates by creating unique programs built on principles of nonviolence and restorative justice. Her philosophy with inmates was simple-look for the good, affirm it, and then educate, empower, and support. The programs Marie created became the backbone of more than thirty years of volunteer work, and the results were transformational. Discover what this quiet, unassuming woman with no formal education in criminal justice did to tear down the walls of mistrust, bringing respect and humanity to people on both sides of the prison bars.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"This powerful story shows how persistent compassion melts cold hearts and reconciles enemies.... even behind bars. An excellent resource for study and discussion." - Donald B. Kraybill, Co-author Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy"I had heard of Marie's work long before I met her: the prison unit that didn't blow up during riots because of her nonviolence training program for inmates, her courage and compassion in working with people in prison. Now her inspiring story from small-town girl to justice advocate has been told, and told well. It needs to be heard." - Dr. Howard Zehr, Professor of Restorative Justice, Eastern Mennonite University"One of the men Marie worked with wrote "she was like an ear for the silent screams of men...and a voice for many who had never been heard." He no doubt spoke for many others who have had the privilege of being involved with Marie's work. Her generosity of spirit and genuine love for all fellow human beings is a model to which all of us should aspire. The story of her dedication over the past 30 years is extremely compelling and a definite must-read." - Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, Co-Director, Mennonite Central Committee Office on Justice and Peacebuilding"Grace Goes to Prison is a story of relentless compassion. The reader sees the clanging, numbing world of prison life through the eyes of a woman whose determination, resourcefulness, and fearless love won the trust of hardened prisoners and prison administrators alike. This is a story of one who sees each new problem as an opportunity, of a blessed community of volunteers, and of God's faithful provision."- Bob Gross, Executive Director, On Earth Peace

About the Author

Melanie G. Snyder is the Executive Director of the Lancaster County Reentry Management Organization (RMO), an initiative in Pennsylvania to improve community safety by helping people transitioning out of prison to become productive citizens and remain crime-free. She is an NIC-certified Offender Workforce Development Specialist, a certified Global Career Development Facilitator, and a certified instructor for the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Healing Communities model. She is also a restorative justice mediator and trainer. She teaches college writing courses, teaches conflict resolution skills to community, school and faith groups, and speaks regularly to a variety of audiences about restorative justice, criminal justice, and related topics. Prior to Melanie's involvement with the RMO, she spent several years researching and writing the book Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope and Humanity (Brethren Press, 2009),  which tells the true story of a woman who volunteered in Pennsylvania's state prisons for over 30 years, creating inmate education and reentry programs based on principles of restorative justice. After Grace Goes to Prison was published, Melanie traveled throughout the United States, doing speaking engagements and meeting with other reentry and restorative justice professionals to discuss criminal justice issues and exchange information and ideas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brethren Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 087178128X
• ISBN 13: 9780871781284
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 303