Dr. John M. Perkins has chosen Hinds County Deputy Wayne McDaniels to oversee the John M. Perkins Foundation's Inside/Out Prison Ministry.

     McDaniels, an  Information Desk Deputy since February 2004, is the former State Voter Empowerment Coordinator/Area Coordinator for the NAACP. Other work experience includes Administrator of  Jackson's Regency Group; Chief of Security of Jackson's Security Plus, Inc.; Security Officer at Jackson's Wright Security Services; and Shipping/Receiving Clerk  for Flowood's Central Paper Company.

     "I became interested in the Inside/Out Prison Ministry after listening to and watching Dr. Perkins over the years," says McDaniels. "I've admired his work in the Civil Rights Movement and then, too, the things he is doing at the correctional facility in Raymond is  remarkable.

      "Dr. Perkins visits the young men who are incarcerated, teaches them from the Bible and serves as a mentor. I watched as he interacted with them and how they responded to him. Dr. Perkins is impacting the lives of so many of these young men."

     McDaniels, who went to school with some of Perkins' children, said he stopped  Perkins during one of his visits to the Hinds County Detention Center and began to inquire about why he was there. When Perkins told him about his work with these young men, McDaniels became interested.

   As a member of 100 Black Men of Jackson from 1994 to 2002, McDaniels knows the importance of having positive role models in the lives of those incarcerated. Members of the organization mentor public schools students and help steer them in the right direction by building a positive relationship with them. He wants to do the same for  those incarcerated, as well as work with them to find housing and employment once they are released.

    "One of the most imposing obstacles to reducing recidivism is the impoverished, crime ridden neighborhoods that most ex-offenders return to upon release," says McDaniel. "There is a drastic need for safe beds in a nurturing community of ex-offenders.

     "Inside/Out will work with churches and organizations that want to open a home as part of their ministry. This gives the ex-offender both a nice bed and a group of believers who can help meet other spiritual, physical and emotional needs."

    Inside/Out Prison Ministry Association and  is designed to build partnerships between government agencies, the church, educational institutions, concerned individuals and community groups that seek a common interest and goals to shape the character and affirm the God given dignity of prisoners on the inside and to release their creativity through the power of the supportive Christian once released.

     He adds that Inside/Out will continue its  Hinds County Prisoner Mentoring Program which matches inmates with a godly man or woman who can help them grow in their relationship with Christ and help them become a healthy part of society. McDaniels says a supportive community is vital in order to overcome the brokenness in life and restore a person back to Christ. The mentors are our frontline soldiers in providing loving Christian communities to the incarcerated and will continue their relationship once the inmate is released.

     In addition, he wants to provide a mentoring program for the children of the incarcerated. He added this component to Inside/Out after literally breaking down in tears because of an incident he witnessed while on duty at the Hinds County Detention Center. One day a 13-year-old girl came to the prison to see her 15-year-old boyfriend, who was incarcerated. The girl was there with her grandmother because both of her parents were incarcerated. he also discovered that both of her boyfriend's parents were incarcerated, too. His breaking point came when he looked at the young girl as she stood their eight months pregnant and realized her child could fall into this vicious cycle. One day that now unborn child could be behind bars, as well.

    He didn't want that to happen, so  he decided he had to do what he could to prevent it. Not only for the sake of this child, but for the hundreds who may find themselves in similar situations. He had other conversations with Perkins and shared his passion with him. Before he knew it, Perkins had placed the reins of Inside/Out Prison Ministry in his hands.

     McDaniels has development an operational plan that includes the mentoring program for the children of the incarcerated. "The program will support children who have at least one or both parents incarcerated in various penal institutions," explains McDaniels. "The goal is to improve the lives of young people and enable them to become productive and responsible adults by creating one-on-one mentoring relationships between (at-risk) children and a caring and qualified mentor."

     For additional information about the Inside/Out Ministry Association or to volunteer as a mentor, phone Wayne McDaniels at 601-559-0944.

Click here to view Inside/Out Ministry's Operational Plan.
 

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