In conjunction with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Victim Services Division and Chaplaincy Department), Bridges To Life is currently coordinating its unique victim impact process in twenty-four Texas prisons: the Central Unit (Houston), the Jester 1 Unit (Houston), the Jester 3 Unit (Houston), Kegans State Jail (Houston), the LeBlanc Unit (Beaumont), the Beto Unit (Palestine), the Henley Women’s State Jail (Dayton), the Hutchins State Jail (Dallas), the Kyle Correctional Center (Austin), Travis County State Jail (Austin), the Allred Unit (Wichita Falls), the Hamilton Unit (Bryan), Woodman’s Women’s State Jail (Gatesville), the Murray Unit (Gatesville), the Walls Unit (Huntsville), Lockhart Men’s Facility and Lockhart Women’s Facility (Lockhart), the Pack Unit (Navasota), Halbert Unit (Burnet), Hughes Unit (Gatesville), Wynne Unit (Huntsville), the Johnston Unit (Winnsboro), the Ney Unit (San Antonio), and Bexar County Jail (San Antonio). Texas prison officials recognize our work as being very unique and effective and want the process to expand to additional prisons across the state.
Bridges To Life has won many awards and received much recognition. The Texas Corrections Association has chosen Bridges To Life as an Exemplary Program for the state of Texas in 2000. The Coalition of Victims of Violent Crimes recognized Bridges To Life as “exemplary in service and dedication to providing quality services and fair treatment to victims of crime.” John Sage is recipient of the 2001 Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Award for Restorative Justice. Connie Hilton, Bridges To Life Regional Coordinator, is recipient of the 2002 Governor’s Criminal Justice Award for Victim Services Volunteer of the year. Pat Todd received the 2004 Carol Vance Volunteer of the Year Award. This is the highest honor a volunteer can receive in the Texas Prison System. John Sage received the Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award in 2004. Kirk Blackard received the 2005 Governor’s Award for Restorative Justice Volunteer of the Year. Bridges To Life volunteers received Governor’s awards in 2006, 2007, and 2008. These awards recognize the contributions of those who promote the repair, restoration, and reintegration of offenders, victims, and the community.
The process requires many volunteers who are at the heart of this work. Over 600 volunteers have been involved in Bridges To Life thus far. The primary motive of crime victims who come into prison is to help prevent others from experiencing the devastation and pain that their families have been forced to endure due to the horrible actions of offenders. All volunteers experience the blessing of “making a difference” in the lives of others. Many of the volunteers participate in multiple projects each year. Once experienced, our work becomes a “program of attraction.”
Restoring Peace – Using Lessons From Prison to Mend Broken Relationships details the principles used in the Bridges To Life program, combined with actual stories from victim and inmate participants. The book is intended for repairing or improving relationships with others.
“The best part about this program is the small group setting which allows both victim and inmate to be open and honest with one another and the trust, confidence that is built through these groups.”