"KAIROS OUTSIDE" began in 1989 as an idea from the Chaplain at San Quentin State Correctional Facility in California, following the first Kairos Prison Ministry retreat. The Chaplain felt, as did many involved in the ministry, that the men and women who became involved in the Kairos Program were now open to family unity more so than ever before.
JAMES ROWLAN, then director for the Department of Corrections for California, has often said:
"Three things will help keep an inmate from coming back to prison:
1) some type of religious awakening while in prison,
2) support by their family during and after incarceration, and
3) the skills with which to find a job on the outside after their release."
The KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY is an excellent vehicle to provide an opportunity for a religious experience on the inside.
"KAIROS OUTSIDE" is designed to bolster the wives and mothers who are so important on the outside. They are, in many ways, "doing time" right along with their loved ones and have to be stronger than their men to survive today's world. The "KAIROS OUTSIDE" weekend was designed to let these women know that there is a Christian Community that cares about them and their needs.
"KAIROS OUTSIDE" is a blend of the movement on the street, CURSILLO, (that spawned KAIROS years ago), and the KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY that is spreading to so many of our nation's institutions. The presentating team members have all completed either a CURSILLO/EMMAUS/VIA de CRISTO/KAIROS or similar three day short course.
