Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out [Paperback]

Lennie Spitale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2002

For most Christians, prison culture is like visiting a foreign land, and the thought of ministering in prisons to those incarcerated is an intimidating prospect. Prison Ministry will empower any pastor, educator, or lay leader in doing effective prison ministry by providing a thorough “inside-out” view of prison life. Author Lennie Spitale offers a unique and qualifying vantage for writing about prison culture and prison ministry. As a young man, Spitale served a prison sentence for an armed robbery that was later reduced to assault and robbery. Two years after his conversion to Christianity, he began conducting a weekly Bible study in a local jail and has been involved in prison ministry for more than two decades.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (May 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805424830
• ISBN-13: 978-0805424836
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's prison really like?, June 8, 2002

By 

DukeBedford (Bedford, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out (Paperback)

As someone involved in prison ministry for nearly 30 years, I have read a lot of books about prison and prison ministry. I have never seen any like this one! Many "prison books" sensationalize prisons and prisoners -- some even seem intent on glamorizing them, or at least on glamorizing the ministries that sponsor the books. Others focus on studies and analyses of data about prisons and prisoners. This one simply and eloquently tells you what prisoners think and feel and deal with, day by day, month by month, year by year, so that you can begin to understand a strange, alien culture that most of us can barely imagine, but which deeply affects millions of people in this country.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who deals with prisoners or ex-prisoners in any way -- while they are "in" and when they get out. If you ever hire an ex-prisoner, read this book. If you have an ex-prisoner in your church you would like to encourage and support, read this book. If someone in your family has been sent to prison, or is about to be released, read this book. It will help you understand his experiences and how they will continue to affect him for years after his release, and what kinds of things you can do to help heal the psychological and spiritual effects the prison experience inflicts on those who go through it.

A disclaimer: I know Lennie Spitale, and greatly respect his ministry. I heard that he was writing a book, but I never imagined anything like what it turned out to be. This book will change minds and I believe it will change lives. Which is, I am sure, exactly what Lennie intended it to do.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inside/Outside Perspective, April 22, 2002

By 

L. Stobbe (Tryon, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out (Paperback)

Prison Ministry could be called an "inside job" because the author is writing after serving six times in the brig in the Navy and three and a half years in a New Hampshire prison. But it is also an "outside job" because Lennie has gone from outside to the inside of prisons in California, Florida and all six New England states for 25 years. He entered prison a rebellious, anti-society, cocky young man. He now goes into prison as a humble, loving, caring prison minister--and supervises a staff of men and women that go into every penal institution in New England with a message that Jesus loves prison inmates and wants to give them a new life.

From that perspective, Prison Ministry is a book that will transform the reader's understanding of prison culture. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters--and the volunteers serving prisoners--will find this a well-written, even riveting behind-the-scenes look at how prisoners feel, what they long for, what will give volunteers and family members the greatest success in helping them. There will be tears of recognition as readers recognize their loved one in this book--not be name but by feelings. There will be a new understanding of what makes the prisoner "tick."

Anyone involved in any way with prisoners ought to read Prison Ministry, by Lennie Spitale. It will be a richly rewarding experience.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate introduction and guide to prison ministry, April 10, 2005

By 

Allan M (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out (Paperback)

I bought three books on prison ministry, have experience with one on one prison ministry and mentoring, and have attended the Prison Fellowship VIP (Volunteer In Prison) Training.

Lennie Spitale's book is the best I've read yet. It gives virtually all you will need to know if you are considering prison ministry, already involved in and form of prison ministry, or just curious about what life behind bars is like. Spitale is probably one of the most authoritative writers on the topic, having plenty of experience of life from both sides of the fence.

He was a rebellious child, joined the military and was jailed a number of times before discharge. After discharge from the military, he served many years in prison on multiple incarcerations before turning his life around and going straight. Since his release, he has spent at least 25 years in prison ministry, and founded an organization dedicated to preparing others for prison ministry and chaplaincy.

This book has all the information and warnings any prospective prison ministry volunteer could need, as well as all the heart breaking and compelling motivations to become involved. It is easily readable, neither deep mind bending theory nor shallow boring fluff. Of all the books on the topic I have read this one is the most value for money.

If you only buy one book on the subject, this is the one that will give most value.