With the assistance of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Victim Services Division and Chaplaincy Department), what started in one prison in 1999 is now operating in 23 prisons throughout the state of Texas. The BTL curriculum is also used in six alternative settings, including the Harris County’s Women Helping Ourselves (WHO), a diversionary funding program for female high-risk, felony probation offenders; two juvenile facilities in Harris County and one in Ft. Bend County; and a homeless shelter in San Antonio.
Bridges To Life works in close collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Victim Services Division, the Chaplaincy Division, and the wardens and chaplains of each of the prison units in which it conducts programs. Organizational meetings are conducted at all prisons in which BTL programs are new, and consistent verbal and written communication is utilized to ensure that all BTL staff and volunteers are in compliance with TDCJ rules and security regulations. Bridges To Life works closely with Volunteers of America to implement projects in a halfway house and now in a women’s facility in Atascocita. In addition to TDCJ, Bridges To Life staff work with numerous community based agencies, faith based organizations and faith communities, and government entities.
BTL could not provide services without the generous donation of volunteer time. Community support includes thousands of hours donated by volunteer facilitators and victim volunteers, and facilities to conduct the projects in correctional units throughout Texas. Our volunteers contributed over 28,000 hours in 2009, which had an “in-kind” value of $567,000. The volunteers are absolutely essential to fulfilling the mission and goals of the program.
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 first thing that victims must do is learn to live again. This program helps them to accept that change and learn to live and trust again.”
“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.”