Unlocking the Second Third Prison

Launched in 2004 by the President of the Republic of Singapore Mr S R Nathan, the Yellow Ribbon Project seeks to engage the community in accepting ex-offenders and their families, giving them a second chance at life and to inspire a ripple effect of concerted community action to support ex-offenders and their families.

The Yellow Ribbon Project seeks to unlock the second prison, the prison of social stigma towards ex-offenders upon their release from the first prison. In fact, the theme of this year's ICPA (International Corrections and Prisons Association) 13th Annual Conference - which Singapore was hosting for the first time and which I had the privilege to attend from 11 to 16 Sep - was Unlocking the Second Prison.

One idea which struck me - and stuck with me - throughout the conference was that rehabilitation should take place before - and in preparation for - future release, not upon release. This got me thinking about a third prison which we all live in, the prison of sin. We may not be prisoners of the law of Singapore, but we are all prisoners of the law of sin, 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23, NIV).

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)

As prisoners of the law of sin, we have lost the freedom which was given to the first Adam. However, by God's grace we have freedom in Christ, the second Adam.

"But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith... It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 3:22-24, 5:1 (NIV)

We unlock the third prison - the prison of sin - by faith.

Rehab, Renew, Restart: An Offender's Journey Through Three Prisons

First Prison - Sentence

1. Remand
2. Conviction
3. Rehabilitation
4. Release

Rehabilitation should take place before - and in preparation for - future release, not upon release.

Second Prison - Society

1. Separation
2. Forgiveness
3. Resocialisation
4. Reintegration

Resocialisation should take place before - and in preparation for - future reintegration, not upon reintegration.

Third Prison - Sin

1. Law (Old Covenant)
2. Cross
3. Resurrection/Justification of Christ (New Covenant)
4. Resurrection/Justification of Christians, Renewal of Creation

New creation has already begun with the resurrection/justification of Christ! We should continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling before - and in preparation for - our future resurrection/justification (ie. in our lifetime), not upon our future resurrection/justification.

"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." - James 2:20-24 (NIV)