The Bridges To Life program has two main goals: (1) to reduce recidivism rates of program graduates and (2) to facilitate the healing process for both victims and offenders.
The first goal—to reduce recidivism (re-offending) rates of program graduates—is achieved through offenders’ participation in and completion of a 14-week process during which offenders and victims are brought together in a small group format with a facilitator. The achievement of this goal is directly measured through data collected and recorded by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). With the assistance of the Victim Services Division of TDCJ, Bridges To Life is tracking all offenders after they are released from prison, reviewing pertinent data on a quarterly basis.
The program’s second goal—to facilitate the healing process of victims and offenders—is achieved through the dialogue between victim volunteers and offenders. Although there is no way to directly measure the benefit to victims, they often comment that they receive more benefit from the Bridges To Life process than do the offenders. Said one victim volunteer: “Not only do the victims get to share their story and begin healing, they also know that they may make an impact, by putting a face to the crime, on the lives of people who may otherwise go out and commit those same crimes again.”
The recidivism study is still in progress as released inmates are tracked for 3 years. The current statistics indicate a very positive impact on the inmates. Out of 10,406 offenders who have completed the BTL program, 3,673 have been released and are included in our recidivism study. 639 (17.4%) have returned to prison. 414 (11.3%) received new convictions and 2256 (6.1%) returned due to technical violations. Only 471 (1.2%) of released offenders have returned for violent crimes. Although this is not a completed study, the 11.3% rate for new convictions and the 1.2% rate for violent crimes are significantly lower than the national or state norm and are a powerful indication that the program is improving public safety for our citizens.
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.”