ABSTRACT
Abe Brown Ministries, Inc. (ABM) is a community organization in Tampa, Florida, that is dedicated to breaking the cycles of incarceration by helping offenders make a successful transition back into society. Founded in 1976, ABM’s efforts began through the facilitation of prison crusades, a program in which community volunteers lead worship services and life-building motivational sessions within Florida correctional institutions. In Miller v. Alabama (2012) and its companion case, Jackson v. Hobbs (2012), the US Supreme Court held that mandatory life-without-parole sentences (JLWOP) for juveniles convicted of murder were unconstitutional. As a result of this ruling, juveniles who had been sentenced to LWOP were eligible for resentencing, and some who had served decades in prison were released. These individuals required comprehensive reentry services upon their release. ABM accepted this challenge.
Through our nationally recognized Ready4Work-Hillsborough (R4W-H) program, ABM assists formerly imprisoned persons, including juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs), with reentry into the community and workforce, effectively leading participants toward a productive life. This chapter discusses the services provided by Abe Brown Ministries’ Ready4Work-Hillsborough program, its structure, and the impact that it has on JHOs. Insights by JHO participants about their struggles and successes are shared to demonstrate the significance of reentry programs. Strategies that are critical to the success of this programs are discussed to assist others who may be interested in serving this population of returning citizens.
