Jeff Madry spent 20 years in prison, and when he was released at 42, he took odd job after odd job in order to make sure he stayed out of trouble.
“It’s a very vulnerable position to be an outcast in society,” he said. “You got a record, and it follows you for the rest of your life.”
Now, 12 years later, he works with New Life Development Ministries to not only aid male offenders in finding occupations after being released from jail or prison, but to also embody a successful reentry process for young men today.
Since 1990, New Life Development’s goal has been to reduce recidivism rates — the rate at which people released from jail or prison re-offend and are put back in custody — through supporting, training and creating job opportunities for newly released offenders in Indianapolis.
The ministry’s mission is rooted in faith.
“God is the core of what we do,” said Phillip Moore, program manager for the organization. “We’re not a church in a traditional sense, but we do use the word of God to minister people who walk through the door.”
Indiana’s recidivism rate was 33.8% in 2021, according to the Indiana Department of Corrections.
The organization holds a 16-week program that teaches released offenders the skills needed to become construction workers while also paying them during their training. The ministry exclusively prepares its members to work in construction because that field is “one of the most forgiving lines of work,” Madry said.
President and CEO Rev. Eugene Potter has built and maintained connections with construction companies and workers, allowing for many of their members to get hired immediately after completing the program.
All 16 members at the recent training program were paid $15 an hour for their training and received jobs with a construction company shortly after completion.
For New Life Development to continue its work, the organization is seeking donations, sponsors and volunteers in hopes of expansion.
“I had it in my spirit to be a part of reentry,” Madry said. “We’re not in this for the money. It’s about making a difference. I am thankful for my new life. I am a life saver.”
New Life Development will begin another program in September. For more information, visit nldmindy.org.
Contact religion reporter Abriana Herron at 317-924-5243. Follow her on Twitter @Abri_onyai. Herron is a Report for America corps member and writes about the role of Black churches in the community.
