ACEs are Childhood Traumatic Experiences that can include physical or substance abuse, neglect, domestic violence, severe mental challenges, or having a parent in prison. Butte County has the highest ACE scores in the state. Butte County has…
Sad Fact - There are usually over 13,000 bookings per year at the Butte County Jail
- 1 out of 5 children have two or more ACEs.
- 30% of adults report experiencing at least four ACEs
- 76.5% of adults have experienced at least one ACE.
Sad Fact - There are usually over 13,000 bookings per year at the Butte County Jail
Prevalence of ACEs in the General vs. Incarcerated Populations:
ACE Category General Population (%) Incarcerated Population (%)
Emotional Abuse 35 63
Physical Abuse 19 60
Sexual Abuse 7 49
Emotional Neglect 13 51
Physical Neglect 11 22
Domestic Violence 17 35
Substance Abuse 27 63
Parents Living Apart 28 70
Mental Illness 14 28
Family Member Incarcerated 9 45
Source - Compassion Project
Desperate for Hope
Few inmates have a “normal” upbringing. Most have a horrendous childhood that all kinds of abuses and broken relationships most often spurred on by drugs, alcohol, and disabilities. Their inability to cope or process these challenges leads them to the same destructive lifestyle their parents and family members often demonstrated. One could easily argue that these jail inmates are just as much victims as they are offenders.
When inmates find themselves in jail, they have mixed emotions. Many acknowledge that going to jail saved their life, but jail is just a different kind of salvation as well as new risk. It has many unwritten rules that are generated from a power play from within the jail culture and jail staff. Some have little to lose, so they take risks others will not. Others have a lot to lose and are much more risk averse.
The good news is that most are now thinking and feeling better than they ever have. They are now off the drugs and alcohol they have been using for years to medicate the pain. The normal hunger pains that they lost due to alcohol addiction start kicking back in, and this hunger is welcomed by alternating days of peanut butter and bologna sandwiches. This new environment sets up reflection for those who are new to the scene. They will think about their mom. They will think about their children, some of whom refuse to speak with them while others aren’t allowed to. Speaking with any of their loved ones is now what they most live for. Those of us who have been in the military know this feeling. They will think about their victims and their mothers. They will think about the marriage they squandered or the one they may never have. They will think about God and how he has been trying to get their attention. Our visit often confirms this.
Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV):
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
Once these broken people start to wake up, many will ask for a chaplain or minister. They see other inmates meeting with ministers and wonder if they too can experience some care and concern. They want a quiet place to get away from the noise and feel comfortable enough to stop acting tough for a few minutes. Inmates can’t break down in front of other inmates in the same way dogs can’t show weakness. It is unsafe. Most are relatively young and desperate for the hope and freedom that some other believing inmates demonstrate, and whom we support. Many of these broken people are ready for change… permanent change.
Will you be that person who opens the door to an inmate looking for hope and a desire to change? Will you be the one who allows the “least of these” to let down their defenses for 40 minutes a week? Are you willing to pray for these and show them Jesus before they get released back into our community? Or will you be the one who helps us to do this work? OR, are YOU also done with yourself and ready for a new life in Christ? If so, I have some inmate buddies who will show you how Jesus can set you free like he did them. [John 8:36 NIV] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Few inmates have a “normal” upbringing. Most have a horrendous childhood that all kinds of abuses and broken relationships most often spurred on by drugs, alcohol, and disabilities. Their inability to cope or process these challenges leads them to the same destructive lifestyle their parents and family members often demonstrated. One could easily argue that these jail inmates are just as much victims as they are offenders.
When inmates find themselves in jail, they have mixed emotions. Many acknowledge that going to jail saved their life, but jail is just a different kind of salvation as well as new risk. It has many unwritten rules that are generated from a power play from within the jail culture and jail staff. Some have little to lose, so they take risks others will not. Others have a lot to lose and are much more risk averse.
The good news is that most are now thinking and feeling better than they ever have. They are now off the drugs and alcohol they have been using for years to medicate the pain. The normal hunger pains that they lost due to alcohol addiction start kicking back in, and this hunger is welcomed by alternating days of peanut butter and bologna sandwiches. This new environment sets up reflection for those who are new to the scene. They will think about their mom. They will think about their children, some of whom refuse to speak with them while others aren’t allowed to. Speaking with any of their loved ones is now what they most live for. Those of us who have been in the military know this feeling. They will think about their victims and their mothers. They will think about the marriage they squandered or the one they may never have. They will think about God and how he has been trying to get their attention. Our visit often confirms this.
Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV):
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
Once these broken people start to wake up, many will ask for a chaplain or minister. They see other inmates meeting with ministers and wonder if they too can experience some care and concern. They want a quiet place to get away from the noise and feel comfortable enough to stop acting tough for a few minutes. Inmates can’t break down in front of other inmates in the same way dogs can’t show weakness. It is unsafe. Most are relatively young and desperate for the hope and freedom that some other believing inmates demonstrate, and whom we support. Many of these broken people are ready for change… permanent change.
Will you be that person who opens the door to an inmate looking for hope and a desire to change? Will you be the one who allows the “least of these” to let down their defenses for 40 minutes a week? Are you willing to pray for these and show them Jesus before they get released back into our community? Or will you be the one who helps us to do this work? OR, are YOU also done with yourself and ready for a new life in Christ? If so, I have some inmate buddies who will show you how Jesus can set you free like he did them. [John 8:36 NIV] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
I would like to...
1. Receive the ARM newsletter and pray for the inmates and ministers of the Butte County Jail.
2. Write to and pray for an inmate using our PO box.
3. Minister to inmates behind the glass or on the phone.
4. Give financially to ARM so it can continue to meet the needs of the inmates.
5. Have a minister speak with a family member in jail and/or help you speak to a family member in jail.
1. Receive the ARM newsletter and pray for the inmates and ministers of the Butte County Jail.
2. Write to and pray for an inmate using our PO box.
3. Minister to inmates behind the glass or on the phone.
4. Give financially to ARM so it can continue to meet the needs of the inmates.
5. Have a minister speak with a family member in jail and/or help you speak to a family member in jail.
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