“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

Work brings meaning to our lives.  It helps us define who we are and make a useful contribution to society.  Work helps us earn the money we need to put a roof over our heads and food on the table.  It provides us with heath insurance and allows us to care for our children.

Today in America there are staggering number of people who are locked up.  According to the Pew Center there were 2.2 million people behind bars in the United States.  That has very important implications for the employment prospects of each of them.  A criminal record makes it extremely difficult to obtain any gainful employment.  That effects the financial prospects of anyone with a record and it also has a negative psychological effect.  Without a job and the sense of identity that a job brings it is even more difficult for former prisoners to make the transition to the outside world.