Punishment Rate

Punishment Rate Higher Than Suggested This new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests the U.S. is more punitive with its punishment rates than previously thought. Overview Researchers, policymakers, and the public rely on a variety of statistics to measure how society punishes crime. Among the most common is the imprisonment rate—the number of people […]

National Reentry Week

Reprinted from the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs announcing National Reentry Week.        Washington, D.C. 20531 March 17, 2016   Dear Colleague:   Over the last seven years, the Department of Justice has partnered with state, local, and tribal agencies and national organizations to support hundreds of reentry programs across […]

Judge Donnelly to Speak Again with LEAF

Judge Donnelly to Speak Again with LEAF   Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 23! For those who missed Judge Donnelly speak at the Holy Angels’ LEAF meeting in January, you have a second chance!  The good judge accepted the invitation of the Mary Queen of Peace LEAF group in old Brooklyn to meet and […]

Reentry Information Series

Edwins-Reentry Feature

Reentry Information Series   This multi-week informational series looks to cover many of the challenges facing citizens reentering society after an incarceration.   For our non-Catholic LEAF families,  you do not need to attend the church service to participate in the information series, although you’re more than welcome to do so!   We hope to see you […]

Using Facebook for News

LEAF’s Facebook Page       Just a quick reminder about using LEAF Ministry Facebook page.  Recently I’ve found several articles of general interest to LEAF families but I got frustrated because I didn’t have time to publish them.  It’s embarrassing to say, I didn’t even think of sharing them on our Facebook page! That takes all […]

Letting the Son Shine Out

Pile of clothes

Letting the SON Shine Out   No, my title is not a typo! Our former pastor ended many services with the command, “Go into the mission field…and let the S-O-N shine out.” It was a reminder of our calling to be Christ to others. I recently remembered this admonition when told of a woman’s simple […]

New ODRC Handbook for Families Published

ODRC Publishes New Handbook for Families The official title says it all:  “Handbook for the Families, Friends, Supporters and Mentors of Northeast Ohio Offenders”.   This is an outstanding resource for anyone working with staff or inmates in one of the State’s correctional facilities in northeast Ohio.   Much of this 90 page handbook is generic information […]

Judge Speaks to LEAF Group

Judge Michael Donnelly Speaks with LEAF Group   Mark your calendar!   On Thursday,  January 21  Judge Michael Donnelly will be speaking at the Holy Angels’ LEAF meeting. This will be a very interesting gathering and the Holy Angels’ group has graciously extended an invitation to all LEAF families to hear Judge Donnelly speak. Judge Donnelly […]

God Is With Us

God is with us!   The article below written by Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson appeared in Plain Dealer a few days ago.  I particularly like the article because I like history (those who forget it – repeat it!) and because Advent is my most favorite liturgical season.   Advent is about hope and hope is […]

Supporting the Second Chance Act

Supporting the Second Chance Act Supporting the Second Chance Act is something every LEAF Family needs to consider. We generally try to steer clear of politics, but sometimes I bend the rules and this is one of those cases. The Second Chance Act was enacted in 2008 and provided funds to organizations assisting with the […]