About Us
Released and Restored,Inc., got it's start in 2002 in Lincoln, Nebraska. We are a non-profit corporation incorporated in the State of Nebraska. Our non-profit status is granted by the Internal Revenue Service.
Contact information for Released and Restored:
Phone: 402.806.0565
E-mail: Click here
Mailing address: Released and Restored, Inc., PO Box 94633, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Statement of Faith - As a Christian organization, we feel our statement of faith is best summed up if the Apostle's creed:
We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, the third day he rose from the death; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God Father the Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
FAQ
Q: Is this about being soft on crime?
A: No. We firmly believe we need prisons. We believe that people need to be held responsible for their actions. We want individuals to be better prepared for living in their communities after they are released from prison.
Q: Why should I be concerned whether or not convicts stay out of prison when they are released?
A: If for nothing else, the savings of tax dollars should be a convincing argument. According to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, it costs Nebraska taxpayers on average $26,844 per inmate per year they are incarcerated. The savings possible by helping people stay out of prison after release quickly adds up. From a Christian perspective, helping "the least of thee" is what Christ calls us to do.
Q: How many people are released from prison in Nebraska?
A: The average length of stay in Nebraska prisons is 22 months. 95 percent of inmates in Nebraska prisons will be released. Only a very small part of the population is sentenced to life in prison, or to death.
Q: How many prisons are there in Nebraska?
A: 10 State prisons, run by Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. On top of that, there are lots of county jails and other facilities where men and women are incarcerated in our state.
Q: Is there a SuperMax prison in Nebraska?
A: No, not in the sense of the Federal SuperMax (AdMax which stands for Administrative Maximum Security) in Florence, Colorado. There are two maximum security prisons in Nebraska. Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in Tecumseh. Both these institutions have sections within their respective institution that is considered maximum security.
Q: What can I do?
A: You can support the work of this ministry in many ways. Donations are always welcome. Volunteers are always needed. Keep us in your prayers. Make sure you tell your local representative that you are interested in prison issues and that you expect him/her to work for better prisons.
Q: I'm interested in participating in Worship inside prisons. How can I do that?
A: Nebraska prisons offer a multitude of Worship services. If you have a specific prison in mind, you can contact that prison directly. See the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services web site for contact information for the individual institutions. If you don't have a specific prison in mind, contact us and let us know what you're interested in and we'd be happy to help.
Q: I want to volunteer in prison but I'm scared. Isn't it very dangerous?
A: Statistically you are far more likely to get injured in an accident driving to prison than having something happen to you inside. Having said that, prisons can be dangerous places. We are very fortunate in Nebraska in that our prisons are safe, professionally ran institutions that take pride in the professionalism and safety of the institutions in the state. In reality, prisons are not like what you see in the movies or on TV. Hollywood tends to over-dramatize every now and then as you might have noticed. When visiting prisons, remember where you are. Always follow directions given by officers and never, ever break any of the rules set by the institutions and/or the Department.
Q: Can I deduct my donations to Released and Restored on my tax report?
A: Yes, we are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and our non-profit status is approved by the Internal Revenue Service. When you donate to Released and Restored, you will receive a receipt detailing your donation. Use this to document your donationsfor tax purposes.
Q: Are you part of the United Methodist Church?
A: Released and Restored is Advance Special #860 of the Nebraska Annual Conference. Our founder and executive director, Ruth Karlsson, is a Licensed Local Pastor appointed to Extension Ministry with Released and Restored. The resident bishop and district superindentent in Lincoln are ex-officio members of the board od directors.
Released and Restored,Inc., got it's start in 2002 in Lincoln, Nebraska. We are a non-profit corporation incorporated in the State of Nebraska. Our non-profit status is granted by the Internal Revenue Service.
Contact information for Released and Restored:
Phone: 402.806.0565
E-mail: Click here
Mailing address: Released and Restored, Inc., PO Box 94633, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Statement of Faith - As a Christian organization, we feel our statement of faith is best summed up if the Apostle's creed:
We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, the third day he rose from the death; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God Father the Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
FAQ
Q: Is this about being soft on crime?
A: No. We firmly believe we need prisons. We believe that people need to be held responsible for their actions. We want individuals to be better prepared for living in their communities after they are released from prison.
Q: Why should I be concerned whether or not convicts stay out of prison when they are released?
A: If for nothing else, the savings of tax dollars should be a convincing argument. According to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, it costs Nebraska taxpayers on average $26,844 per inmate per year they are incarcerated. The savings possible by helping people stay out of prison after release quickly adds up. From a Christian perspective, helping "the least of thee" is what Christ calls us to do.
Q: How many people are released from prison in Nebraska?
A: The average length of stay in Nebraska prisons is 22 months. 95 percent of inmates in Nebraska prisons will be released. Only a very small part of the population is sentenced to life in prison, or to death.
Q: How many prisons are there in Nebraska?
A: 10 State prisons, run by Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. On top of that, there are lots of county jails and other facilities where men and women are incarcerated in our state.
Q: Is there a SuperMax prison in Nebraska?
A: No, not in the sense of the Federal SuperMax (AdMax which stands for Administrative Maximum Security) in Florence, Colorado. There are two maximum security prisons in Nebraska. Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in Tecumseh. Both these institutions have sections within their respective institution that is considered maximum security.
Q: What can I do?
A: You can support the work of this ministry in many ways. Donations are always welcome. Volunteers are always needed. Keep us in your prayers. Make sure you tell your local representative that you are interested in prison issues and that you expect him/her to work for better prisons.
Q: I'm interested in participating in Worship inside prisons. How can I do that?
A: Nebraska prisons offer a multitude of Worship services. If you have a specific prison in mind, you can contact that prison directly. See the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services web site for contact information for the individual institutions. If you don't have a specific prison in mind, contact us and let us know what you're interested in and we'd be happy to help.
Q: I want to volunteer in prison but I'm scared. Isn't it very dangerous?
A: Statistically you are far more likely to get injured in an accident driving to prison than having something happen to you inside. Having said that, prisons can be dangerous places. We are very fortunate in Nebraska in that our prisons are safe, professionally ran institutions that take pride in the professionalism and safety of the institutions in the state. In reality, prisons are not like what you see in the movies or on TV. Hollywood tends to over-dramatize every now and then as you might have noticed. When visiting prisons, remember where you are. Always follow directions given by officers and never, ever break any of the rules set by the institutions and/or the Department.
Q: Can I deduct my donations to Released and Restored on my tax report?
A: Yes, we are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and our non-profit status is approved by the Internal Revenue Service. When you donate to Released and Restored, you will receive a receipt detailing your donation. Use this to document your donationsfor tax purposes.
Q: Are you part of the United Methodist Church?
A: Released and Restored is Advance Special #860 of the Nebraska Annual Conference. Our founder and executive director, Ruth Karlsson, is a Licensed Local Pastor appointed to Extension Ministry with Released and Restored. The resident bishop and district superindentent in Lincoln are ex-officio members of the board od directors.
Officers of Released and Restored
President:
Rev Glen Holtz
Secretary:
Deb Russ Farwell
Treasurer:
Barb Kohl
Directors
Norma Fleisher
Jim Cook
Rev Lila Bottolfsen
Don Foxhoven
Rev Galen Wray
Bishop Ann B. Sherer
President:
Rev Glen Holtz
Secretary:
Deb Russ Farwell
Treasurer:
Barb Kohl
Directors
Norma Fleisher
Jim Cook
Rev Lila Bottolfsen
Don Foxhoven
Rev Galen Wray
Bishop Ann B. Sherer